Rebecca Katzman

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Best Buds

October 19, 2021

What happens when an awkward middle school boy meets a defective robot? Ron’s Gone Wrong tells the story of an unlikely friendship. It’s between seventh grader Barney Pudowski and his robot, Ron. Jack Dylan Grazer voices the role of…

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United States

Major Oil Spill

October 8, 2021

An underwater pipeline has leaked at least 126,000 gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean. The leak happened off the coast of California on October 2. It may be the largest spill in California since 2015. Oil covered the water…

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Science

8 Questions for Samuel Ramsey

August 31, 2021

Samuel Ramsey, or Dr. Sammy, works for the United States Department of Agriculture. He’s an entomologist. That’s a scientist who studies insects. TFK’s Rebecca Katzman spoke with Dr. Sammy about his job and what insects can teach us. 1. How…

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United States

Back in Class

August 27, 2021

All across the country, kids have returned to classrooms. This is usually an exciting time. But this year, the excitement is again mixed with uncertainty. “I’m wondering if school will be back to normal,” says Sebastian Taylor Bastidos, 10.…

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Paralympic Games

August 26, 2021

The 16th Summer Paralympic Games kicked off in Tokyo, Japan. The Games began on August 24. More than 4,000 athletes with a disability gathered from around the world to compete. This year’s Games feature 539 events across 22 sports. These…

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World

A Volcano Erupts

April 16, 2021

On April 9, a volcano called La Soufrière erupted on Saint Vincent. The island is in the Caribbean Sea. Thousands of people there were forced to leave their homes. The explosion was massive. It sent hot ash 32,000 feet into…

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United States

Return of the Cicadas

April 7, 2021

This spring, parts of the United States will witness a rare natural event. Trillions of Brood 10 cicadas are expected to emerge in mid-May. The insects have spent 17 years underground. They will likely be around until late June or…

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Ready to Experiment?

March 9, 2021

The first episode of Emily’s Wonder Lab, on Netflix, is about things that glow. Host Emily Calandrelli teaches a group of kids to make fluorescent paint. One exclaims that he added too much cornstarch. “Don’t worry,” Calandrelli tells him. “Science…

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History

Blast from the Past

February 19, 2021

A conch shell discovered 90 years ago in France is now thought to be the oldest instrument of its kind. Researchers say it's about 18,000 years old. The shell was found in a cave in France's Pyrenees region in 1931.…

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Leading the Way

February 9, 2021

February is Black History Month. Here are three new books that honor the contributions of Black Americans. Which one would you like to read first? Sprouting Wings Sprouting Wings, by Louisa Jaggar and Shari Becker, tells the true story of…

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