Kids Konnect July August 2021

K i ds konnect

Rivers & Lakes issue!

Owatonna, MN July/August 2021

G R O W • P L AY • L E A R N

The Mighty Mississippi Games & Activities

The Straight River

Boating this summer?

Make safety your top priority

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DISTRICT NEWS & CALENDAR

The History of Lighting Lighting has changed a lot through the years!

Look at this timeline:

10 COOL FACTS ABOUT THE OLYMPICS 1. The first summer Olympics of the modern era was held in 1896 in Athens, Greece.

2. The Olympic games that we know today are based on the Olympic Games of ancient Greece. These ancient games were a series of athletic competitions held to honor the Greek God Zeus.

1800 Candle

1810 Oil Gas Lamp

1879 Incandescent Bulb

1976 CFL Bulb

2006 LED Bulb

Not only have the shapes changed, but the bulbs are more efficient and last longer, saving energy AND money!

1,000 Hours – Incandescent Bulbs 10,000 Hours – CFL Bulbs

25,000 Hours – LED Bulbs 0

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15,000

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3. Ever since ancient times, the Olympics have always been held only once every four years.

4. Instead of winning a medal, winners of the ancient Olympic games won an olive branch wreath.

5. The fist time winners were presented with gold, silver and bronze medals for first, second and third place was in 1904.

25,000

Would you like your family to switch to LED bulbs?

Owatonna Public Utilities can help with our rebate!

ENERGY STAR® LED BULB & FIXTURE REBATE: 50% of bulb, fixture, or package cost (not to exceed $7 per bulb and $20 per fixture)

Go to owatonnautilities.com to download a Lighting Rebate Application and make saving energy and money a part of your family’s future!

Owatonna Public Utilities circa 1925

6. The gold medal is actually made mostly of silver and then plated in gold.

7. The United States has won more gold medals during the summer Olympics than any other country (2,399 since 2012).

8. The United States has also hosted the Olympics more times than any other country (1904 in St. Louis, 1932 & 1984 in Los Angeles and 1966 in Atlanta).

9. The five colors of the Olympic rings (blue, black, green, yellow and red) were chosen because every country in the world has at least one of those colors in their flag. The rings represent 5 of the world’s continents: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas, linked together in friendship.

10. There were no Olympic games in 1916, 1940 or 1944 because of the two World Wars.

Source: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/sports/ summerolympics.html

2 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

K i ds konnect

Contents

G R O W U P L AY U L E A R N

Volume 2, Issue 4 July/August 2021 PUBLISHER Randy Rickman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jessica Abrahams Sarah Brooks Melanie Busch Brenda Donahe-Stevens Mary Hawkins MaryAnne Higgins Jean Krause Darla K. Lager Thomas Meagher, PhD Sarah Reichert Mary Urch Jason Wray-Raabolle, M.D. COVER/PAGE DESIGN Kate McGillen

the Straight River the Mighty Mississippi

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Boating this summer? Make safety your top priority

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les, Crafts, puzzles, coloring and more!

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S cience Technology E n gi n e e r i n g Ar ts M athematics

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tom Kelling ADVERTISING SALES Amber Casterton Crystal Hobart Britney Marr Tim Mart For editorial or advertising inquiries, contact us at 507-444-2390 Kids Konnect is published by

Southern Minnesota LLC Southern Minn Media 135 West Pearl Street Owatonna, MN 55060

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 3

The Straight River Imagine you are a pioneer headed west to Minnesota Territory. Where would you build your first log house? What do you need besides wild game, berries, and shelter to settle on the frontier?

You‘ll need water for sure, so If you find a source, you’d be all set. That’s why the early pioneers settled Steele County around a source of water, the river the English called the Straight River, but in the Native American Lakota Sioux language “Owatonna.”

But it isn’t straight you might say, and you’d be right. The best we can say it has created a straight river valley.

The Straight River is a tributary of the Cannon River and part of the Mississippi watershed and became the founding locations for the towns of Medford, Clinton Falls and Owatonna.

Early setters boiled it for drinking water and channeled its rushing water and falls to power grist mills and later electric power plants. Today

Keeping Kids Healthy All Summer Long Child and Teen Checkups are available to children from birth through age 20 who are covered by Minnesota state health plans such as:

STEELE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH 507-444-7650 Call if you need help with transportation, interpreters or making an appointment with a doctor or a dentist.

• Medical Assistance • South Country Health Alliance

LINDSEY MCGURRAN

Realtor

Berkshire Hathaway Advantage Real Estate

507-456-0474

lindsey@owatonnarealestate.com 4 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

its presence provides recreational activities of fishing, canoeing and even hunting the wildlife attracted to the water too.

During the 1820s fur trappers used this river to transport furs along this trading route. In the mid-1850s, settlers found the river banks to be a perfect location to settle and build homesteads.

Medford was formed at this time in 1853 by Abner Wright and Chauncey Lull by building a log shanty along the river, Owatonna in 1854 with Clinton Falls platted in 1855. After settlements were built, mills were created to grind flour and feed for human and animal food. The hydropower helped to create the first businesses in this area. This life by the river, led to many other hamlets being established in Steele County, though many declined and became ghost towns when transportation improved, such villages as River Point, Saco, Bixby and Cooleyville.

For about 30 miles, the Straight River flows from Oak Glen Lake south of

Draw your first log house on the river below. What will your house look like?

Waterways and rivers have always been vital to the growth of cities, towns, and village in Minnesota and world- wide.

It sustains life and is necessary to our existence as humans.

Build aa better better lunch Build ½

Vegetables & Fruits

+ ¼

Whole Grains

+ ¼

Lean Protein

box

n cucumber n vegetable soup n carrot sticks slices n sugar snap n green garden n cherry tomatos peas salad n dried fruits:

n unsweetened weetened

n baked tortilla n whole wheat tilla bread, pita, chips bagel, or wrap n popcorn

n granola bar n brown rice

n whole grain crackers or cereal

n lower sodium, lean luncheon meats

n tuna packed in water n peanut butter

n beans s n hummus or bean dip

n handful of nuts n hardboiled eggs

n string cheese n low-fat w-fat yogurt

n llow-fa skim s milk

nu un-processed cheese

n low-fa at cottage cheese

n orange segments n grape clusters

n diced melon n fruit cup in 100% juice ce

n bell pepper slices es

applesauce raisins, apricots or app pples n berries ries

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add

1 Serving of Low-fat Dairy ry

= 1 Balanced d Lunch Box

NUTRITION EDUCATION

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4 495 West North St. Owatonna, MN 55060 O

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Owatonna to Faribault where it joins the Cannon River. As it flows north the river varies in depth and width.

Erosion is a common along the grassy banks with areas of deposits of silt and sand, yet it’s a great recreational area for area hunters, fisherman, and canoe enthusiasts. Canoeing is best done in the spring and early summer before the water level drops since this is a common occurrence. But, many canoeists find challenging rapids near Clinton Falls and Faribault. The Department of Natural Resources has designated this area to teach novice canoeists navigational tactics. Fish caught in the Straight River include northern pike, crappies, smallmouth bass, and carp. Wildlife inhabiting this area including deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, beaver, opossum, songbirds, and waterfowl.

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 5

Your Hometown Heating & Cooling Experts for 40+ Years Keeping your family SAFE & COMFORTABLE with our reliable products

As many as two million anglers wet their lines in Minnesota each year. Approximately 29 percent of Minnesota residents fish. As many as 1,500,000 fishing licenses are sold each year.

Approximately 49,700 Minnesota jobs are related to fishing, providing an economic benefit of 1.3 to 2.8 billion dollars annually.

In Minnesota, anglers spend 50 million dollars on bait annually.

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More than 100 million pounds of fish are harvested from Minnesota waters each year—walleye: 35 million pounds, northern pike: 3.2 million pounds, and panfish: 64 million pounds.

Species most often caught, in order of prevalence, include: panfish (including bluegill, crappies, and yellow perch), walleye, and northern pike.

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Of Minnesota’s more than 10,000 lakes larger than ten acres, 5,493 are fishable.

There are 15,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams in Minnesota.

Minnesota has 1,900 miles of trout streams.

The Minnesota DNR manages 3.8 million acres of fishing waters.

Minnesota fish hatcheries include five cold-water hatcheries (for trout and salmon), and twelve cool-and warmwater hatcheries (for walleye, muskie, catfish, and other fish).

Source: Minnesota State DNR. https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/ education/minnaqua/leadersguide/appendix_1/7_6_ fish_facts.pdf

The Mighty Mississippi Native Americans named the Mississippi River, it means “great river” or “big water”. It also has the nicknames of “Old Man River” and “the Mighty Mississippi”.

The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, only the Missouri River is longer.

The Mississippi flows about 2350 miles from its source near Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River is the longest river in Minnesota, covering 681.3 miles.

The Mississippi flows through 10 states including: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

As it flows from Minnesota to Louisiana, the Mississippi changes its shape, size and directions.

Fun Fact: According to the book The Mississippi: America’s Mighty River by Robin Johnson, “It takes about 90 days for a raindrop to travel from the source of the Mississippi River to the river’s mouth at the Gulf of Mexico.”

The Hennepin Avenue Bridge, officially The Father Louis Hennepin Bridge, in Minneapolis was built in 1855. It is believed to be the first permanent bridge built across the Mississippi River.

Owatonna Public Library

It also provides recreational opportunities for water sports, such as waterskiing, boating and fishing. The river is one of the most important shipping routes in the country. Barges carrying wheat, corn, coal, steel, iron, oil, sand and salt are pushed along the river by tugboats.

The Mississippi River is an important resource for Minnesota and the United States. How do we protect it? As a country and as a state, we need to stop polluting the water with pesticides, fertilizers and oil and lead from industry.

As an individual, we can plant trees along the riverbanks to help reduce runoff and to help control flooding. We can join a clean-up crew to help pick up trash along the banks of the river. Picking up litter in your own neighborhood is a small step everyone can take to stop garbage from flowing into the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi River is forever changing. It’s future depends on us. Let’s keep it safe, clean and “mighty”.

For more information about the Mississippi River check out these books:

The Mississippi: America’s Mighty River

by Robin Johnson ©2009 Crabtree Publishing Company

A River Journey: The Mississippi

by Simon Milligan ©2004 Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers

The Mississippi River is a source of drinking water for millions of people. It also supplies water to farms for growing crops. Dams along the river produce electricity for people’s homes. The Mississippi River provides freshwater for many species of plants and animals.

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 7

Paul Bunyan & Babe The Blue Ox

Legend has it giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his blue ox created Minnesota’s lakes with their footprints. But the lakes were actually created by melting glaciers!

Source: kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Color Me!

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Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics

STEAM’in WITH “Dr. M” , PhD Thomas Meagher na (known to Owaton ”) is the students as “Dr. M or for the STEAM Coordinat School District.

Owatonna Public

Last time, we welcomed spring and followed the changes of the seasons.

Now that summer is here it’s time to get outside and explore the world around us. In this issue of STEAMin’ with Dr M let’s take this magazine and head outside to explore the air, land and waters we call home!

Send us your pictures of STEAM creations, experiments, inventions and observations and we’ll publish the best ones in the next issue.

Be sure to include your Kids Konnect magazine in the photo.

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 9

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Air: Reading clouds to predict weather events Did you know that clouds are not only cool things to look at and imagine what they might resemble, but they tell us about what kind of weather we’re going to have.

stick to dust particles floating in the atmosphere. Depending upon that amount of water vapor and the temperature of the air, we can see large, puffy cumulus clouds or a densest mat of stratus clouds.

The weather can be very different between these two cloud types.

Clouds are formed when water vapor in the air condenses into a liquid, usually when small water droplets

When the air is cool and dry and the air pressure is high (measured by a barometer in inches of Mercury (Hg)) usually greater than 29.0 in Hg, we’ll see Cumulus clouds. When the air is hot, heavy with moisture and air pressure is low, less than 28.0 in Hg we will see Stratus clouds and there is a chance of rain.

Stratus clouds can cause “cloudy days” where the whole sky is covered with a thick blanket of dark gray clouds. If they have a lot of moisture these clouds will bring rain.

So what do other clouds tell us about weather? Two other important clouds to observe are Cirrus and Cumulonimbus clouds. When we see these clouds, we can figure out if storms are coming or going and if there’s going to be a thunderstorm!

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Cirrus clouds are the leading edge or the following tails of rain. Cirrus clouds ride fast-moving air currents and look like waves rippling on the wind. If it hasn’t rained in a while and cirrus clouds are moving across the sky, you can expect rain the next 1-2 days. If the rain has already come, cirrus clouds follow the storm as it leaves.

Cumulonimbus clouds are tall and powerful carriers of thunderstorms. If you watch carefully sometimes you can see lightning flashing back and forth across the cloud and the winds and water swirl and carry the heat energy up into the atmosphere!

Cut this cloud window out and use it to identify the clouds that are outside right now and you can predict the weather!

Hold it up to the sky and match the cloud you see with the matching name in the window.

Become a citizen scientist by participating in SkyWarn, and learn how to be Storm Spotter through the National Weather Service. Go to weather. gov to learn more and you can help your community by being part of the early warning system when dangerous storms are nearby!

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Did you know there are treasures hidden all around your hometown? We can find these treasures by exploring Geocaching. Geocaching is a game where people hide treasure boxes all over the world and upload the the geographical coordinates to the internet.

The earth is divided into coordinates on a map, using longitude (east/ west measurements) and latitude (north/ south measurements) and satellites can pinpoint where you are on earth using the Global Positioning System (GPS). You can use your phone as a receiver of satellite signals and then find where you are on earth using gps.

Since the earth is surrounded by many satellites, you can find yourself almost anywhere on earth if you use a GPS receiver or smartphone.

To play at geocaching,

you’ll need to sign up with geocaching.com to access all the different treasure sites located all over the earth. This is an amazing and fun activity that allows you to explore for hidden treasures in places you may have never seen before. Right here in Owatonna there are many different hidden geocaches that you can find if you have the correct coordinates!

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www.geoc

aching.com

But, playing the game means playing by the rules which includes the following: 1- Create a free account with geocaching.com to gain access to coordinates and keep a record of the caches you find.

2 - Always leave the caches exactly where you find them, in the same condition as you found them.

Some caches have been very cleverly hidden, so don’t make it easy for another to find them after you leave.

3 - Don’t alert other people around you that you are searching for a geocache, “non-geocachers” are called “muggles”, they might not understand the game and could disrupt a geocache hiding place.

4 - Some geocaches have small toys or trinkets inside, if you take a trinket, leave a trinket.

For example if it has small toys inside, leave a small toy of your own as an exchange.

5 - Keep a record of all the geocaches you discover and leave comments to the original people who hid the geocaches, they love to learn about who discovered their cache.

After you’ve become an accomplished geocacher, branch out and find caches wherever you travel, you may find them while on vacation.

Here’ a map of Owatonna with geocaches hidden around town, can you find them? If so, be sure to write your name inside the geocache, leave a small treasure behind, and record your finding in your geocach.com record book.

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Exploring the deep, building things that explore underwater, submarines!

One of the greatest feats of engineering is the design and construction of vehicles that can used to explore areas underwater that previously had been impossible to see. Submarines have been around since the invention of the Monitor & Merrimack, two ironclad, mostly submerged ships that fought the first submarine battle in history.

Since then, submarines have grown in size and complexity, though some are still used for warfare in the navy, but many more are used by scientists and engineers investigating the unknown and solving many unsolved mysteries.

Submarines can transport human beings or be unmanned and equipped only with

cameras and sensors.

These vehicles are used to explore the deepest reaches of the ocean when new animal species are being discovered all the time!

One of the most recent discoveries was the first ever video of footage of the giant squid. This animal has never before been seen alive and cameras on a deep sea submersible captured video of it swimming!

24 Hour Complete Towing Service E 215 Cedardale Dr. SE Owatanna, MN 507-451-3424 14 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

(Image from Makezine.com and Howtoons)

Build your own plastic bottle submarine Rubber bands are amazing pieces of technology that allow us to engineer new things by using both Potential and Kinetic energy! When we wind a rubber band up it creates Potential Energy, and when it’s released and it spins a propeller, it uses Kinetic energy. This will be the engine that drives our plastic bottle submarine.

Materials needed Materials needed 1 - plastic bottle 1 - plastic fan from another plastic bottle or broken toy, about 2 inches in diameter 1 - long rubber band 2 - smaller rubber bands 1 - Small dowel or bamboo skewer 1 - plastic bead 1 - Paper clip A small piece of styrofoam, from packing material.

It’s import ant to fill your subm so it’s neu arine with trally buo water yant and the angle y ou can ad of the rule ju st r o submarin e to dive d r stick to cause you r eeper. If y piece of s ou attach tyrofoam a small to the top using rub of the bott ber bands le, , the subm the surfac arine will e after the fl oat to p ropellers spinning. have stop Be sure to ped tie kite str you can re ing to you el it in afte r sub, so r it voyag es way ou t to sea!

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Have you ever tried to paint a picture of what you’re looking at? A great way to explore the world is to study with detail by painting what you see when you’re outside, such as a shoreline, forest or beautiful sunset. One way to paint is to use the technology of water colors. By experimenting with combinations of water, paint and paper you can create amazing works of art!

Wet on wet watercolor is an easy way to paint sunsets, lakes and other smooth, colorful things. To paint in this way first fill up your brush with just water, no paint, and then “paint” the water all over where you want the color to go.

Next mix the color you want and then paint in the water on your paper. Watch how the colors grow and fill the space where you put water!

For added brightness, wait for the paper to dry and then paint over it in the same color. Layering is a great way to make your colors vibrant!

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Dry brushing is another simple watercolor painting technique that you can use. Dry brushing is great for smaller and more intricate details. The name dry brushing can seem a little strange when it comes to watercolor, but it’s a great method that will give your art added sharpness! All you have to do is mix your colors and then dry off your brush on a paper towel, then dip your brush directly in the color you mixed.

This way you have a lot more color than water in the brush. Next, use the paintbrush like a pencil and essentially draw on the page. Dry brushing gives you a really strong color that is easy to control and keep neat. So if you want to paint a tree or a dog or a city or anything with clear details dry brushing is the way to go.

If you want to take your painting to the next level combine these two techniques for a doubly awesome picture! Say you want to paint a cabin next to a lake, use wet on wet for a really fun and colorful lake, then use dry brushing to get a distinct shape for the cabin. By exploring these cool tools you’ll have fun, learn something new, and impress your friends with your awesome painting skills!

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How old is this tree?

(image from NASA Climate Kids.)

Each species of tree grows at different rates, depending upon the amount of rain and sunlight the tree gets during the growing season. Some trees grow really fast, like aspens, cottonwoods and willows. Other trees grow very slowly like maples, elms and white pines.

If a tree grows quickly it will have wide rings of wood, while trees that grow slowly will have thin rings of wood. On the outside two trees can be the same width and appear to be the same age, but when you look at the rings you’ll see one tree can be much older than the other.

Look at the picture here of two cross sections of trees, count the rings of each tree starting in the center of the tree and count each ring until you reach the bark.

How many years old is this tree?

How many years old is this tree?

Which tree is older?

If we want to know how old a tree is we need to remember that trees grow mostly in a circle and that it grows a new ring of wood every year. So, we need to figure out how wide the tree is, or better yet, its diameter.

We can calculate a tree’s diameter (d) by measuring its circumference (C), the distance around the tree trunk then dividing by pi (π). Pi is a mathematical ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

We can measure the tree’s circumference by wrapping a tape measure around the trunk.

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The measurement around the tree’s trunk = circumference Next we can calculate the tree’s diameter of the tree by dividing this measurement by pi, it has the symbol π, and equals 3.14

of rings it can grow per inch of wood, is called its growth factor. A tree’s growth factor can be used to determine how old it is NOW, instead of cutting it down. We need to multiply the growth factor with the tree’s diameter, see the table here for different species of trees.

Diameter = Circumference ÷ π or The circumference of this maple tree = 48 inches ÷ 3.14 = 15.2 (round to 15 inches)

If we want to know how old this maple tree is, we multiply its 15 inch diameter x a maple’s growth factor of 5 rings/ inch.

Maple tree trunk diameter = 15 inches

Look at the table here and we see that the growth factor of a Maple tree = 5 rings/inch,

Since each species of tree grows at different rates, basically the number

Tree Species Growth Factor Tree Species Growth Factor Ash

4

Black Walnut

4

Aspen

2

Cottonwood

2

Basswood

3

Elm

4

Birch

4

Elm Maple

5

Black Cherry

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Oak

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Tree age = Tree diameter x growth factor = 15 inches x 5 rings/inch = 75 years old The tree is 75 years old! Can you figure out what year the tree sprouted from a seed, in its first year of being alive?

is. There are trees in Owatonna that are more than 200 years old: they’re bur oak trees in Kaplan”s Woods. You might find them if you go exploring this summer!

Can you figure out how old the trees in your yard are?

You’ll need a tree identification guide first to determine what species are in your yard, a tape measure and calculator. Let’s see who has the oldest tree, send us a picture of yourself with the oldest tree in your yard and let us know how old it

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 19

Boating this summer? Make safety your top priority

By Jason Wray-Raabolle, M.D., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna.

One of the most popular and fun activities of summer is spending time on the lakes and rivers in the area. Boating creates lifelong memories and gives us the opportunity to unplug, spend time together, learn new skills and explore new areas.

Whether your family uses a fishing Wray-Raabolle, boat, canoe, kayak or pontoon, you should remember these basic safety rules as you head out for a day on the water: • Learn to swim.

Learning to swim is one of the most important ways to stay safe on the water. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons for most children ages 4 and older; however, lessons for children ages 1-4 could be appropriate, depending on how often they’re exposed to water.

floatation device. Arm floaties and inflatable toys aren’t a substitute and tend to give kids and families a false sense of security. Excellent, comfortable, easy-to-put-on models of personal floatation devices are available, so there’s really no excuse not to wear one.

• Be a weather watcher.

Weather in Minnesota can change quickly. Check the forecast before heading out and frequently while on the water. If you do get caught in a storm, navigate to the shore as quickly as possible.

• Tell someone the details of your trip.

Tell your trip plan to a friend who’s staying ashore. Share details about who’s on the boat, where you’ll be and how long you’ll be gone.

• Always operate your boat at a safe speed.

Waterways can become crowded during the summer.

Slow down, stay alert and steer clear of larger vessels. Be sure to follow speed limits in “no wake” areas.

Swimmers of all ages may be more familiar with pools than rivers and may not know what to do if caught in a current. Stay calm, float on your back, and when you come to a calmer area, flip over and swim diagonally toward shore with the flow of the current.

• Respect buoys and other navigational aids.

They’ve been put in place to ensure your safety — and the safety of other boaters and swimmers. If you’re not familiar with them, the U.S. Coast Guard has a handy online guide at www.uscgboating.org.

• Wear a personal floatation device.

Even expert swimmers can get into trouble during an emergency. It’s important to be sure everyone in a watercraft wears a Coast Guard-approved personal

• Leave alcohol on shore.

The risk of drowning or injury significantly increases when alcohol or drugs are involved.

• Be sun savvy.

The sun’s rays can be intense on the open water.

Protect everyone with hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Look for water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.

Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

• Drink plenty of water.

Even when surrounded by water, it’s possible to become dehydrated. Sitting in the sun can increase your body’s temperature. Pack plenty of water for each person and drink some water every 15 to 20 minutes to remain properly hydrated.

While your family enjoys time on the water, these tips can ensure that everyone is safe and enjoys the time together.

Care when you need it.

Mayo Clinic Health System remains committed to providing the care you and your family need. Whether you are seeking routine or preventive care, or treatment for a serious or complex condition, Mayo Clinic Health System has convenient and safe options available, including virtual or in-person appointments.

Call 507-451-1120 to schedule an appointment. mayoclinichealthsystem.org

20 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

Olympic Medal Snack

All you need is Oreo cookies and Fruit by the Foot!

1. Measure out the desired length of Fruit by the Foot to give you enough to fit over your head.

2. Have an adult use a knife and gently pry open the Oreos, you can also twist them apart if you have that kind of talent!

3. Place the ends of the Fruit by the Foot on the icing and press in gently.

4. Replace the top of the Oreo cookie and press firmly but evenly over the whole cookie. Careful not to press too hard on one or the cookie may break.

Olympic torches Snack Start with an Ice Cream Cone and get creative with the flames!

Fill it with Cheetos. Spice up the taste and color by adding in Flaming Hot Cheetos!

Slice up bell peppers for a several different colored flames.

Not a pepper fan? Try peeling and slicing whole carrots. Add some ranch dip or humus in the bottom of the cone for fun!

Pop some P opcorn. Ge t a flaming look with C heedar Che ese Popcorn se asoning or Seasone d Salt.

Olympic Medal Snack Source: https://theexploringfamily.com/celebrations/celebrating-golden-moments-with-edible-oreo-olympic-medals/

Mom packed my lunch from FAREWAY! NOT. TRADING. ANYTHING!

“Yum!”

“Thanks, Mom!”

“So good!”

Store (507) 451-1550 • Market (507) 451-0071 Mon - Sat 7:00AM to 9:00PM

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 21

Olympic Medals using Homemade Clay Materials: baking soda cornstarch water a circle cookie cutter gold metallic paint ribbon Optional: shellac, clear acrylic spray OR clear nail polish.

Instructions: 1. In a saucepan, mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of cornstarch.

2. Add a tiny bit less than 3/4 cup of water in the pan and stir.

3. Stir over medium heat for 4-5 minutes.

At first, it will be liquid like this… …and then it will become the consistency of playdough.

4. Once the mixture is a playdough-like consistency, take it off the stove and dump onto a clean surface. Cover with a clean dishtowel until it cools down.

5. Separate the dough.

6. Have your child roll the dough out onto a clean surface and use a circle cookie-cutter to create the medal.

7. Use a straw to make a hole in the top portion of each medal.

8. Use a marker cap to make an Olympic-ring design by pressing slightly into the surface of the medal. You can also use numbered cookie cutters as well.

9. Let the medals dry overnight, or until they have become a clay-like consistency.

10. Let your child paint each medal using gold metallic paint.

Optional: Once the paint is dry, spray the medals with clear enamel spray, shellac, or even give it a quick coat with some clear nail polish.

This isn’t required, but it does help ensure that the medals hold up a little longer (plus it gives them a glossy luster)

11. Once dry, string a ribbon through the hole!

Source: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/olympic-medals-made-using-baking-soda-modeling-clay/

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Serving Owatonna with Life-Long Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 605 Hillcrest Ave. Ste 230, Owatonna (507) 451-7250 www.hollandfamilydental.com Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 23

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24 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

Color Me!

DOTS & BOXES How to play Each player takes a turn connecting one dot to another adjacent dot horizontally or vertically, one move at a time. After a while, the board begins to fill with a series of horizontal and vertical lines, some connected, some not. When a player draws a line that forms a square, that player fills the square with his first initial. The player, who drew the closing line on the square, gets another turn.

Objective The game is played until all the dots become boxes, and the player with the most boxes completed at the end becomes the winner.

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 25

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26 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

1. Recorta cada una 3. Enhebra la tira B (animales plancton) de las tiras de la por medio de la tira A. Junta las puntas “cadena” de la tira B para crear un segundo eslabón de la cadena.

2. Con la tira A, plantas plancton, forma un bucle.

Junta las puntas con cinta adhesiva, broches o pegamento.

4. Enhebra la tira C 5. Enhebra la tira D por medio por medio de la de la tira C. Esto enseña que tira B. Esto los grandes animales demuestra que los marinos se comen a los pequeños pequeños animales marinos. animales marinos 6.

Enhebra la tira E por el se comen a los medio de D. Esto explica que plancton. Junta las los seres humanos comemos puntas para peces grandes como la formar un anillo. lubina, el mero y el salmón.

en Español

Esta Semana: Cadenas alimenticias

Abajo hay una cadena alimenticia para que tú mismo puedas entender cómo es que los animales en la punta de la pirámide necesitan para sobrevivir a las plantas y animales de la base.

¡No es una cadena hecha de comida!

Las cadenas alimenticias describen las plantas o animales que comen a, o son comidos por, otros animales.

Observa las dos imágenes submarinas. ¡Puedes hallar 10 o más diferencias?

Palabra de la semana:

PLANCTON La palabra plancton significa una mezcla de difuntas plantas y animales flotando en aguas dulces o marinas.

Algunas especies marinas viven de los nutrientes encontrados en el plancton .

Laberinto Solar Asombroso Sin el sol, la mayoría de los animales marinos no existirían.

Las plantas plancton necesitan la luz solar para crear su alimento. Sin el sol, todas las plantas plancton morirían.

Intenta usar en el día de hoy a palabra plancton mientras platiques con tus amigos/as y familiares.

Coser y cocer Los homónimos son palabras que se pronuncian igual pero se escriben diferente ¿Cuál es tu idea para y tienen distinto “antojito perfecto para significado.

Embárcate en una después de clases”? expedición de Escribe acerca de este pesca por el bocadillo y por qué periódico de hoy. ¿Cuántos otras personas deberían homónimos probarlo. pudiste atrapar?

Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 27

SMS students have been living it up — enjoying our lakes & rivers

28 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

Contact us to set up a tour!

730. S Cedar Ave|Owatonna www.stmarys-owatonna.org 507-446-2300 admissions@stmarys-owatonna.org Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 29

Virtual Learning Option for Fall 2021!

Did your student thrive in an online learning environment this school year? Would a more flexible school schedule benefit your family?

If you said yes to either of these questions, Owatonna Online might be right for you. Owatonna Online is a state-approved K-12 online public school open to all Minnesota students free of charge. Some of the benefits: • A computer/device provided to all students -and internet access for those who need it • Combination of live and independent learning opportunities • Online courses that meet all the Minnesota educational requirements • Support from licensed Owatonna Public Schools staff • Whole class and small group live sessions • Playlist of activities to complete independently • Learning Coach support to ensure success at home • Regular one-on-one check-ins with the classroom teacher

Learn more by visiting www.owatonnaonline.org!

30 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect

Kids Eat Free this Summer All children, ages 1-18, are able to eat free this summer through meals provided by Owatonna Public Schools.

Meal bundles are available for pick up on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 7August 13. Pick up locations: Owatonna Middle School 500 15th Street NE, Door #13 12:00-1:00 Wilson Elementary 325 Meadow Lane, Door #1 12:00-1:00 Owatonna Public Library 105 N Elm, Parking Lot 12:00-12:30 Lincoln Elementary 747 Havana Rd, Door #1 12:30-1:00 Monday bundles include breakfast and lunch meals for two days. Wednesday meal bundles include breakfast and lunch meals for three days.

Call OPS Nutrition Services with any questions: 507-444-8616

Stay Connected!

#OwatonnaProud Phone: (507) 444-8600 www.isd761.org

Celebrate our students, our staff and our schools by following us on social media. If you like what you see, be sure to share it with others. Together, we are #OwatonnaProud!

@Owatonna761 Kids Konnect • July/August 2021 • 31

! e M r o l o C TIC TAC TOE

Let’s Smile, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization based in Steele County since 2013. Dental services are provided to children & adolescents with MA, SCHA, or no dental insurance at no cost to families. See us in the Community Pathways Building or at your school-based dental clinic!

Call/text 507-363-3023 to set up an appointment or email us at letssmile@outlook.com

www.letssmileinc.com Like us on Facebook!

32 • July/August 2021 • Kids Konnect