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TFK Library

What Is Bioluminescence?

August 24, 2018

Fireflies twinkle in a field. Mushrooms illuminate a dark forest. Colorful sea creatures light up the ocean. These natural light displays come from bioluminescent creatures. Bioluminescent organisms can produce their own light. Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction. It takes place…

TFK Library

What Are Magnets?

August 21, 2018

What do compasses, fans, and high-speed trains have in common? They all use magnets to function. Magnets are rocks or metals that create an invisible field around themselves. This field attracts other magnets and certain metals. The presence of a…

TFK Library

What Are Volcanoes?

August 14, 2018

Take a bottle of soda. Shake it really hard. Gas bubbles will form inside, causing a buildup of pressure. Twist the cap off. Pressure will release from the bottle. Soda will shoot everywhere. A volcanic eruption works much the same…

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Science

Celestial Sight

July 30, 2018

People around the world witnessed a total lunar eclipse on Friday, July 28. Known as a blood moon for its deep-red color, the eclipse was visible in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America at different times throughout the…

Environment

Changing the Tide for Coral Reefs

July 9, 2018

Hawaii lawmakers are on a mission to save coral reefs. On July 3, Hawaii governor David Ige signed a bill to help. It bans sunscreens containing chemicals that are harmful to reefs. It is the first bill of its kind…

Environment

An Epic Eruption

May 9, 2018

On May 3, Hawaii’s Big Island experienced a major volcanic explosion. The volcano Kilauea pushed lava and toxic gas from its vents and opened fissures, or cracks, beneath a nearby residential neighborhood. On May 4, the seismic activity caused a…

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World

A Volcano Erupts

December 4, 2017

Thousands of people have fled Bali, Indonesia, since Mount Agung began to erupt on November 25. The volcano spewed ash and lava two and a half miles into the sky. On November 27, authorities expanded the danger zone around the…

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World

Troubled Waters

October 17, 2017

Plastic can be found in almost everything. That includes toys, food containers, and car parts. Most plastic can—and should—be recycled. Instead, it often is thrown away. Much of this plastic trash ends up in the oceans. It gets there mainly…

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Environment

Earth Day

April 1, 2016

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Energy & Waste The average American produces more than four pounds of garbage per day. Over the course of a year, that is more than 1,600 pounds of garbage per…

Environment

Water Worries

April 24, 2015

California has survived many droughts. But the current dry spell, now in its fourth year, is one of the most severe the state has ever experienced. A shortage of precipitation has left lakes, reservoirs, and other sources of water at…