Table of contents for Issue 263 in The Week Junior US

Led by Harvard University, hundreds of colleges and universities across the country are opposing demands for policy changes made by President Donald Trump’s administration. The conflicts represent an escalation in the administration’s effort to reshape higher education in the US. What universities are affected? The Trump administration told seven prestigious universities that they face major penalties if they do not change their policies: Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern. All of these, except Northwestern, are part of the Ivy League (see box above). Dozens of other universities—including the University of California in Berkeley and Los Angeles, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Minnesota—have received letters saying they are being investigated and may face similar penalties. What does the administration want? The…

A federal judge struck down a law in Ohio that would have required children and teens under age 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps. The decision came after a lawsuit (legal dispute) was filed by NetChoice, a group that represents tech companies. While the judge said he recognized the need to protect children from the harms of social media, the law didn’t abide by the right to free speech outlined in the US Constitution (nation’s top law).…

In 2023, climate activist Timothy Martin was arrested after he smeared washable finger paint on the protective case of a statue at a museum in Washington, DC. Martin, who wanted to draw attention to the urgency of the climate crisis, did not harm the sculpture but did cause $4,000 worth of other damage. He faces up to five years in prison and $500,000 in fines. In recent years, dozens of protesters have been arrested across the US for blocking traffic. No one has been hurt, but the protests affected many commuters. Some people say that even though these protests were peaceful, they’re not OK. What do you think? Should peaceful protesters be punished? Yes—the law is the law It’s against the law to damage private property or block a road…

For many years, researchers have been trying to solve the problems caused by cow burps. The animals’ belches release methane, a gas that contributes to climate change, into the atmosphere. Now researchers at an Australian company called Loam Bio have come up with a possible answer—growing a fungus that produces a substance called bromoform. When it is fed to cows, bromoform affects the production of methane in the animals’ stomachs and their burps contain less of the gas. The researchers created a database of different species of fungi, then picked out the ones that could produce bromoform and tested them to find out which worked best. They have now set up another company called Roam Agricultural to grow the winning fungus. Other companies already make bromoform synthetically (using processes not…

Elevators have transported goods and people for centuries. Find out how the machines rose to become the high-tech wonders they are today. How they work Elevators consist of cars that move up and down inside a vertical shaft. Most modern elevators—especially those in buildings higher than four stories—are called traction elevators. They have a motor at the top of the shaft that turns a pulley (a wheel with a groove in it) to raise and lower cables attached to both the car and a counterweight. As the counterweight goes down, the car goes up—and as the counterweight goes up, the car goes down. Elevators also have special brakes as a safety measure. In addition to traction elevators, there are also hydraulic elevators that use a pump to raise and lower…

Mammals come in a wide variety of shapes and colors today, but that has not always been the case. According to a new study, all mammals from hundreds of millions of years ago had dull, dark-colored fur. While not dazzling to the eye, this look may have helped them survive during the age of the dinosaurs. The findings were based on an analysis of melanosomes. These are the parts of a cell that are responsible for hair, skin, and eye color. A team of researchers used a powerful microscope to examine melanosomes in the hairs of 116 modern-day mammals. They found that the melanosomes that make bright colors, such as reds and oranges, are rounder, while melanosomes that make darker colors are longer. With that information, the team studied preserved…

2025 SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY NATURAL WORLD AWARDS FINALISTS…

From April 17 to April 19, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) women’s gymnastics championships were held in Fort Worth, Texas. The University of Oklahoma won for the third time in four years. Oklahoma’s Jordan Bowers won the all-around title. After eight colleges competed in the semifinals, four made the finals: second-seeded (ranked) Oklahoma, fourth-seeded University of Utah, fifth-seeded UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), and seventh-seeded University of Missouri. Louisiana State University (LSU), the top seed and the 2024 champions, did not score enough points in the semis to advance. The team competition events were the beam, floor, uneven bars, and vault. In the final, Oklahoma led from start to finish, and by the final rotation, only UCLA had a chance of catching them. Despite strong performances by UCLA’s…

In 2020, the award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher told a story about a man’s relationship with an octopus in the wild. That film was co-directed by Pippa Ehrlich, who has made a new documentary about a bond between another human and animal. Pangolin: Kulu’sJourney focuses on a rescued baby pangolin and a man devoted to caring for it. The film was recently released on Netflix. Pangolins live in parts of Africa and Asia and are the world’s only scaly-skinned mammals. Because some people believe pangolin scales can cure illness, they are among the world’s most trafficked (caught and sold illegally) animals. The documentary was filmed in South Africa, where Kulu, a baby Temminck’s pangolin, was rescued from poachers. Gareth Thomas, a wildlife conservationist, met Kulu while volunteering with an animal…

Bunk’d (Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu) “This is a spin-off of the sitcom Jessie, which was about three New York City kids—Emma, Ravi, and Zuri Ross—and their nanny. This show follows the kids to sleepaway camp, where the campers, counselors, and counselors in training have fun going on exciting adventures. One of the campers the kids meet is the owner’s niece, Hazel. She has a crush on a boy named Xander, and Emma starts dating him. Other characters include Jorge, who exaggerates a lot, and Tiffany, whose strict mom doesn’t let her have fun. It is an awesome show.” Avery, 8, New York. Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Kate Messner (Bloomsbury) Finn must spend his summer climbing the peaks of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. He is doing the hikes as part of a deal he made after damaging the gravestone of a beloved hiker. The hiker’s daughter gave him this option because she knew that Finn was upset about his father’s recent death. He has to take Seymour, the deceased hiker’s dog, plus a“trail nanny” (an adult guide) on the treks. Angry and defiant, Finn ignores advice about what to carry in his backpack on his first journey. Halfway up, he has to turn around because he’s out of water and food. When he tries again, he comes prepared and makes it to the top. Finn, an aspiring baker, decides to create a cookie that “matches the…

Sometimes people who are close to us go through difficult times. That could include coping with an illness or other big changes in their life. You probably wish you could do something to help but might not be sure how. Just wanting to support them is a good place to begin. Here are some ideas to consider. Let them know you care Your friend or family member may feel like talking about what they are going through, or they may not. If they want to share, you can help by listening. If they don’t, that’s OK too. It’s always appropriate to let them know you care and will be there for them. You could also ask how you can support them. You could show them they are in your thoughts…

You may feel more relaxed in your room and ready for sleep at night if you keep a neatly made bed. Starting with clean sheets, pull a corner of a fitted sheet (the one with elastic) over a corner of your mattress and tuck it under. Repeat with the other three bed corners, smoothing out the sheet in between. If you use a top sheet, place it over the fitted sheet and tuck it under the mattress. Place a light blanket on top, and tuck it under the sides and mattress. Next, you can drape a comforter or quilt over the sides of your bed evenly. Fluff your pillow with your hands, and put it at the top of your bed. Complete your cozy sleep space with any decorative items,…

As we were preparing to send this issue of The Week Junior to press, it was announced that Pope Francis, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, had died at the age of 88 (p3). Tributes immediately began pouring forth from people who lauded the pope for his humility, his concern for the poor and the vulnerable, and his commitment to acceptance and peace. One of the things I found most significant about Pope Francis is that he was so widely admired and respected by people of many different backgrounds and beliefs. He was often referred to as “the people’s pope.” In the coming days and weeks, after a period of mourning and a funeral featuring traditions that have been followed for centuries, Catholic leaders from around the world will…

“Nothing beats unwinding with The Week Junior on the couch after a long day of practice at the dojo.” Kylar, 13, California “During dinner, my dad asked me what my favorite section from the magazine was, and I said, ‘Science!’ ”Julia, 8, Minnesota “We made the sheet pan gnocchi. It was super delicious and healthy!”Aiken, 12, Ohio…

Scientists have discovered what they called the most promising signs yet of life on another planet, which is called K2-18b. The researchers detected the chemicals dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in K2-18b’s atmosphere. These chemicals are considered an indication of life because on Earth, they are produced only by living organisms, like algae. K2-18b is outside our solar system and was first spotted in 2015. It’s in a “habitable zone,” where it’s neither too hot nor too cold for life to exist. The scientists were studying it with the world’s most powerful space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, when they spotted traces of DMS and DMDS in its atmosphere. Nikku Madhusudhan, who led the research, told reporters he believes K2-18b could have “an ocean that is teeming…

The city of Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding towns have begun marking the 250th anniversary of major events in US history. The celebrations highlight significant moments in 1775 that led to the American Revolution, the nation’s fight for independence from the British. What happened in 1775? On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was summoned to ride on horseback from Boston to the town of Lexington to warn that British troops were about to invade. Meanwhile, Revere’s friend held two lit lanterns in a Boston tower to send a message to colonists stationed across the Charles River. The two lanterns signaled “two if by sea,” alerting the colonists that the British were going to row across the river rather than march by land. The next day, the Minute Men,…

NASA astronaut Jonny Kim made history on April 8 by becoming the first Korean American astronaut in space. He traveled aboard the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky and is now spending eight months aboard the International Space Station (ISS, a laboratory orbiting 254miles from Earth). During his mission, he will serve as a flight engineer, testing new technologies for future missions and studying how space affects the human body. Kim, age 41, is the son of South Korean immigrants and was raised in Los Angeles, California. He joined the US military at age 18 and became a Navy SEAL, serving as a combat medic on more than 100 missions. Through the Navy, he earned a bachelor’s degree in math from the University of San…

Like most other parrots, parakeets are known to have the ability to mimic human speech. Now a new study has found that when parakeets make sounds, their brains work similarly to the way human brains function when we speak. The study was led by Michael Long, a professor at New York University. Long’s team focused on common parakeets, also known as budgerigars or budgies. They birds to record their brain activity as they made sounds, focusing on a part of the brain called the anterior arcopallium (AAC), which is known to affect vocal muscles. They found that certain brain cells became active when the birds made specific sounds. Some cells seemed to be involved in producing consonants, and others created vowels. Some showed activity when the birds made high-pitched sounds,…

Mediterranean monk seal The rare Mediterranean monk seal, which was close to extinction, was recently removed from the critically endangered list after conservation efforts by an organization in Greece. About 800 of these seals are currently living in the wild. ● LIFE SPAN: 20 to 30 years ● HABITAT: Mediterranean and Atlantic seas ● SIZE: 7 to 9 feet, 530 to 660 pounds ● DIET: Fish, octopuses, and crustaceans ● FUN FACT: Pups are usually born in a sea cave, often with an underwater entrance.…

Altitude sickness is one of the greatest risks to people attempting to scale Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain. Before they can try to reach the top, climbers spend weeks adjusting to the high altitude, where the air is thinner and has less oxygen. But sherpas—a group of people from Nepal who have lived in the region for many generations—are better suited to the extreme conditions. In a recent study, scientists found that sherpas’ kidneys are the key to this ability. There are about 150,000 sherpas living in the Himalaya mountains near Everest, and many work as guides or crew members on the mountain. Sherpa climbers are known for their endurance at extreme altitudes. They’re less prone to hypoxia, which is a dangerous lack of oxygen that can lead to…

The 2024–25 NHL (National Hockey League) regular season ended on April 17. Each year, 16 of the league’s 32 teams qualify to compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs, which began on April 19. The defending champions are the Florida Panthers. During the regular season, teams earn points for wins as well as losses in overtime, and the team with the most points receives the President’s Trophy. This year it went to the Winnipeg Jets, who compiled 116 points. They entered the postseason as the number one team in the Western Conference. The second-best team in the league was the Washington Capitals, who were the best team in the Eastern Conference. Top players included Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, who led the league with 52 goals, and Tampa Bay Lightning winger…

Coach’s Name: Kim Anderson Team: Flathead Valley United Academy Girls (soccer) “I love Coach Kim. She challenges me to work on my footwork and striking stance. She teaches our team that it is OK to be competitive. When our team does not understand a soccer drill, she explains it to us with pictures and examples. In each practice, she observes our skills and decides on two or three ‘Training Titans’ who are the awesome players that day. This motivates us to continue to improve and support each other.”Olive, 10, Montana To nominate a Coach of the Week, send your coach’s name, photo, sport, and team to hello@theweekjunior.com. Include your name, age, state, and a few reasons why your coach is great.…

March of the Penguins This Oscar-winning film from 2005 is about emperor penguins in Antarctica who gather at the end of each summer to find mates and later care for their eggs and newborn chicks. The Elephant Queen A female elephant named Athena is the star of this 2018 story, filmed over four years in Kenya. After her herd’s watering hole dries up, she must lead the group across the savanna in search of new water and food sources. Puff: Wonders of the Reef In this 2021 film, underwater cameras follow along as a baby sharp-nose pufferfish in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef learns to survive and thrive during his first year of life.…

Sea Lions of the Galápagos (Disney+) A sea lion pup named Leo lives in the Galápagos Islands. This new documentary tracks him as he leaves his mother and begins to experience the world away from their colony. He encounters marine iguanas, dodges sharks, and faces rival sea lions as he gains independence. Andor (Disney+) This Star Wars prequel series, set five years before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, follows Cassian Andor as he transforms from a reluctant fighter to a hero spy in the battle against the evil Empire. In the new second season, he faces tough choices as the war intensifies. Titanic: The Digital Resurrection (National Geographic) (Disney+) (Hulu) It’s been 113 years since the Titanic, a luxury passenger ship, sank in the Atlantic Ocean. The famous wreck…

Full of surprises, The Trouble with Heroes is a heartfelt story told from the perspective of a boy struggling with his choices after his father died. Here are questions to get a conversation going with friends and family who have also read it. Why does Finn feel conflicted about his father’s heroism? What do you think it means to be a hero? How does Finn become stronger emotionally throughout the summer? Which poem in the book did you enjoy reading the most and why? Should Finn be less sarcastic when talking to others? Why or why not? What did you learn about Finn from his interactions with Seymour? Do you think Finn will keep climbing? Would you want to be friends with Finn? JOIN THE WEEK JUNIOR’S BOOK CLUB Watch…

Keyword crossword Once you have completed the crossword, transfer the letters in the yellow boxes, in order, into the boxes below to get the answer to the Keyword question. ACROSS 1 Surface for exercising 3 Straight line that appears to separate the ocean from the sky 7 Construction girders are made of this 8 Home in the woods built out of logs 9 Word for a fruit like a lemon or orange 10 Like a baseball that lands inside the foul line 13 They pucker up when you kiss 15 Create a device no one thought of before 18 Sea creature with eight arms plus two long tentacles 19 Learn by ___ (memorize) 20 Write code for an app 21 Finish DOWN 1 A movie or play with songs 2…

“When I was in fifth grade, I learned about marine pollution and how it is affecting the world. I wanted to do something about it, so I created the Ocean Savers Club. My friends and I taught students many things about marine pollution and how we can help. We tried to get recycling containers in the cafeteria and encouraged people to save the ocean. Some came on board, but we need more people! Please be conscious about the amount of plastic you use and support ocean-saving groups. Remember, a small change makes a big difference.” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? Whatever you’re up to, we want to hear about it at hello@theweekjunior.com. RIDDLE OFTHE WEEK What kind of lion never roars?…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Frenkil School: Politz Day School “Mr. Frenkil is one of the best math teachers ever. He lightly pushes you out of your comfort zone and loves to help in any way. He explains problems in a more understandable way so you can ace his class. He loves students who care about math, which is all of us because he makes it so much fun.”Amelia, 12, New Jersey Nominate your teacher for Teacher of the Week! Send your reason for the nomination, a photo of your teacher, and your school’s name and address to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

A GREAT BIG BIRTHDAY Fatou, the world’s oldest gorilla in captivity, celebrated her 68th birthday at the Berlin Zoo in Germany with a fruit basket. Gorillas are endangered in the wild. “Every day with her is a gift,” said the zoo’s veterinarian. STAYING FIT Jerry Leo, age 100, can hold a plank position for three minutes, longer than people half her age in her fitness class at the YMCA. Leo, who has been a member of the New York gym since 1991, shared the secret to her health: “Be consistent, be positive, and keep moving in whatever you do.” A BOOK BRIGADE When an independent bookstore in Michigan was moving about a block away, 300 people lined up on the sidewalk to pass the books, one by one, from the…

April 30, 1789 ​First US President is sworn in On April 30, 1789, George Washington was sworn in as the first US President. After being elected unanimously (all in favor), he took the oath of office on the steps of Federal Hall in New York City, which was then the nation’s capital. About 10,000 people attended. In his address, which was about 10 minutes long, Washington spoke of his gratitude to serve as the first President.…

British Columbia, Canada Dinosaur footprints discovered Scientists have discovered the world’s first known footprints from an ankylosaurid dinosaur, which had bony outer armor, three toes, and a clubbed tail. The prints belong to a newly identified species called Ruopodosaurus clava, which means “the tumbled-down lizard with a club.” They are about 94 million to 100 million years old and are the first evidence that ankylosaurids lived in North America during that time period. Spain Healthier school menus required Under a new law, schools in Spain will be required to offer healthier food options for students. Fresh fruit and vegetables must be provided daily, fish should be served at least once a week, and vegan options must be introduced. Vending machines can’t sell food or drinks containing more than 5 grams…

The US Congress established the Pinelands in New Jersey as the first National Reserve in 1978. The reserve contains more than 1 million acres of protected farmland, wetlands, and forests, including the Pine Barrens. About 12,400 acres of the reserve is a “pygmy forest” made of pine and oak trees under 11 feet tall. The Pinelands is rich in wildlife, like the Pine Barrens treefrog, which some consider the most beautiful frog in the US. It has a purple stripe on each side, and its call is a honk heard from April to September.…

Mollye Nardi General curator, Birmingham Zoo Snakes have large, overlapping belly scales that allow them to grip surfaces. They also have lots of muscles in their bodies that help them move. They can flex or relax their muscles to help the belly scales grip and can use their muscles to form S-shaped loops that help push them forward. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Birmingham Zoo at birminghamzoo.com.…

Scientists in Japan have created a robotic glove that can help piano players improve their speed and accuracy. The device fits over a person’s hand and moves their fingers faster and in more complex patterns than they could achieve on their own, even after a lot of practice. Players wore the glove for 30 minutes. When it was removed, they had better coordination and movement. Even if they wore the glove on one hand, both hands improved. The glove’s designers think the training not only made players’ hands more agile but also rewired their brains.…

DISTANCE RUNNING The Boston Marathon, a prestigious 26.2-mile race, took place on April 21. Sharon Lokedi of Kenya was the women’s winner, finishing in 2:17.22, a new course record. John Korir, also of Kenya, won the men’s race in 2:04.45. In the wheelchair division, Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the men’s title for the eighth time and Susannah Scaroni of the US won the women’s title for the second time. SOCCER In NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) action on April 19, the Kansas City Current beat the Houston Dash, 2–0. It was their ninth straight regular-season win, dating back to last season, a new NWSL record. They are the only undefeated team this season. FIGURE SKATING A group of top US skaters, including singles stars Ilia Malinin and Alysa Liu,…

One of the world’s most popular video games has spawned the biggest film of the year. A Minecraft Movie, which came out on April 4, was the number one film during its first two weekends in theaters. It earned $163 million in North America over the first weekend—a new opening-weekend record for a movie based on a video game—and has taken in a total of more than $550 million worldwide since then. A Minecraft Movie is an action-adventure that mixes computer-generated animation and live action. It is about a group of misfits who travel through a portal to the Overworld, the game’s primary dimension. They are led by Overworld guide and expert crafter Steve, played by funny actor Jack Black. One of the film’s most popular scenes is when a…

Elroy and the Aliens is a new point-and-click adventure game. It was recently released for the PC and Mac. The game takes place in a sci-fi version of the 1990s, but that’s not the only retro thing about it. The game’s point-and-click style was popular in that decade, and the hand-drawn animation was designed in the style of goofy TV cartoons from the same time period. The main character is Elroy Deluna, the genius inventor of a remote-controlled rocket. He is the son of a famous archaeologist (scientist who studies objects left by people long ago) who disappeared 18 years earlier. Peggie Wolfe, a smart and energetic local reporter, visits Elroy for an interview, but after an incident with his rocket, they end up discovering a device with a message…

What inspired the book? Over the course of eight years, I climbed all 46 peaks in the Adirondack Mountains. I took a notebook with me, and I’d write poetry. After the first five or six climbs, I realized that the voice in the poems wasn’t mine—it was a character I wanted to create. How is the format different? It’s my first book that’s mostly written in verse. Finn has a lot of big feelings, and poems help capture them. I also sprinkled other material throughout the book, such as letters, recipes, and text exchanges. Do you have a real-life Seymour? No, I am allergic to dogs, but I love other people’s dogs and always stop to say hello. Why is Finn so funny? When creating a character who is struggling,…

Ingredients • Olive oil cooking spray• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts• ¼ cup all-purpose flour• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• ¼ cup mayonnaise• ¼ cup honey mustard, plus more for dipping• 1½ cups crushed honey mustard pretzels Instructions 1. Heat oven to 425˚ F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Generously coat the foil with cooking spray. Cut the chicken into even, bite-size pieces and set aside. 2. Place the flour in a large bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss in the flour to evenly coat. 3. Combine the mayonnaise and honey mustard in another large bowl. Place the crushed pretzels in a third, shallow bowl. Shake the excess flour off the chicken and add the pieces to the…

Young inventors shoot for the Moon On April 11 and 12 in Alabama, students from around the world pedaled and drove unusual vehicles through a course that resembled the surface of the Moon. NASA, the US space agency, was holding its 31st annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge, which invites students 11 and older to design and create their own lunar rovers powered by human pilots or remote control. “Seeing everything materialize on that final day,” said contestant Gustavo Espinosa-Lopez—“it’s the biggest satisfaction anyone can have.” Grandpa’s on a trading card Some kids collect Pokémon cards or baseball cards, but in Kawara, Japan, children are obsessed with trading cards that depict senior citizens. Created by a local official, the collection features 28 ojisan, or older men, from the town. Each man,…

Ryder, an 8-year-old from California, said he likes helping others because it is the right thing to do. His good deeds include helping someone get up after they got hurt and opening a water bottle for another person. To mark The Week Junior’s fifth anniversary this year, we’re asking readers to share five good deeds they’ve done. Have you helped a neighbor or performed a kind act? Go to kids.theweekjunior.com/activities to download a form like the one at right. Fill it out, then have an adult email it to us at hello@theweekjunior.com. We’ll feature some of the submissions on this page in future issues. IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear from you! To have your letters, photos, nominations, recommendations, or ideas…

1 Regal Theaters held special screenings of A Minecraft Movie named after what line spoken in the film? 2 Which athlete won the NCAA all-around women’s gymnastics title? a) Grace McCallum b) Jade Carey c) Jordan Bowers a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 3 True or false? A substance called bromoform reduces the amount of oxygen in cows’ burps. True ☐ False ☐ 4 When the Empire State Building opened in 1931, how many elevators did it have? a) 46 b) 73 c) 89 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 April 18 was the anniversary of what major event in the American Revolution? 6 In the video game Elroy and the Aliens, what kind of remote-controlled vehicle did Elroy invent? a) Boat b) Car c) Rocket a ☐ b…