Table of contents for Issue 317 - January 2022 in MiniMag

Raising Environmental Awareness Here at Cartoon Network, we're always keen to hear what makes you smile and what upsets you. So, following a recent survey conducted, we were genuinely inspired by how many of you said tackling Climate Change was the second most important thing for kids and adults to address this year. You told us loud and clear that you want to be given a voice and a chance to start making some positive changes closer to home. So, Cartoon Network has put together an overview of some of the most important environmental days for 2022 to help create awareness and learn about a wide range of ecological topics. Let Cartoon Network guide you through 2022! JANUARY INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF GLASS 1 New Year’s Day 4 World Braille Day…

There are three well-known states of matter: solids, liquids and gasses. In gasses, molecules are far apart and move about rather chaotically. In liquids, molecules are held closer by attractive forces, but they can still move about. In solids, the molecules are held in place by strong attractive forces and each molecule (or atom or ion) is arranged in a specific, rigid pattern. This is called a crystalline solid. In some solids, the molecules do not arrange in a crystalline pattern but rather in a random disordered manner like a liquid. This type of solid is called an amorphous solid and glass is a perfect example. Glass is made by heating a mixture of dry solids to a liquid-like state. When cooled quickly enough, the molecules are locked in their…

Jubilant scenes at the airport when the Springboks returned albeit in dribs and drabs intensified the mood. The pinnacle of the celebrations was the drive through several towns and townships of South Africa to enable the team to celebrate with the general population and within communities where they grew up. The victory offered South Africans a rallying point for national unity. The win also inspired youngsters from previously disadvantaged sectors of South Africa. The Springboks had lifted the Web Ellis trophy for the third time matching the feat previously attained only by the All Blacks of New Zealand as the team with the most Rugby World Cup (RWC) wins. They had previously won in 1995 by defeating the All Blacks and in 2007 by defeating England. The South African National…

So, we can’t think about science separately from how we think about the world. This means that when we think about new developments in science and technology, we have to think about all the other things that affect it, including what the impact will be (the use, the benefits and risks to us, and also to the environment), economics (money), social and cultural aspects (people – and what’s important to different people), and politics (governments and regulations). In the National Science Schools Debates project, which is run by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), learners need to think about these different perspectives when they discuss and debate a science topic. Each team focuses on one of these perspectives and brings their views, based on facts from…

Glass from the past The first man-made glass objects were beads. Little glass beads were most likely formed by accident by craftsmen in their metalwork furnaces. As their skills improved, artisans in the early civilisations in Mesopotamia, Syria and Egypt started making glass vessels and vases by rolling thin strands of molten glass around a metal and clay core. Archaeologists have discovered ancient glass disks and beads in different parts of Africa and Asia and believe that glass was commonly used in trade, almost like we trade money for the things we want today. It was only when the blowpipe was invented in the first century BC when glass making really took off. Blowing glass made it possible to create exquisite transparent glass objects like those we know today. Glass…

MUST WATCH! BRAND-NEW SERIES COACH ME IF YOU CAN In a league of their own It’s a brand-new year, and Cartoon Network is bringing you a brand-new show to kickstart 2022! Coach Me If You Can revolves around a boy called Daniel Sissou and his soccer ball – which happens to be the world’s greatest soccer player, Erico Platana, who has been turned into a soccer ball by a mad sorcerer. To become human again, Erico must learn to deflate his ego and help clumsy Daniel become a soccer champ. But … it’s going to be a challenge when Erico discovers that Daniel used to be a Simon Bolak fan, Erico’s arch-rival. Will Daniel’s attempts to calm the ball’s anger only make things worse – especially when Bolak himself turns…