Journeys Unit Term 1Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 6:06 am
Mrs. AdamsPlease read your article,track your thinking, remembering to record facts and any lingering questions you may have. Also remember to summarize your article and add it to our focus wall in the back of the room. Don't forget to add your title to the summary!
Heading to Australia? – Take the Bus
Thirty-eight passengers recently embarked on the world's longest regular bus journey. The 10,000 mile journey that starts in London, England and ends in Sydney, Australia, will span twenty countries and take twelve weeks to complete.
Christmas card arrives after 93 years
Talk about snail mail! This card mailed on December 23rd, 1914 from Alabama, Nebraska took 93 years to travel to what should have been about a 750 mile journey to its final destination in Oberlin Ohio.
Capturing wind energy to power cargo ships
High energy prices and a desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, have led two German Companies to combine forces and try harness the oldest and cheapest source of energy - the wind.
Olympic torch begins a historic 130-day journey from Beijing
The symbolic Olympic torch arrived in Beijing, China from Athens, Greece to kick of a 130-day historic relay, counting down to the Summer Olympics. The new Olympic torch, shaped like a Chinese scroll was received with much fanfare by China's President Hu Jintao and thousands of people waving red and white pompoms.
Where are all the birds?
Every autumn, billions of small birds make their way from the continent of Europe all the way to Africa. As soon as spring arrives these birds re-trace their epic journey back to Europe to breed. The journey which involves crossing the Sahara Desert, the Mediterranean and even the English Channel is amazing given how small some of these birds are and considered one of nature's miracles.
Olympic Torch Reaches The "Top Of The World"
At exactly 9.17am on Thursday, May 8th, 2008, nineteen mountaineers from China made history by lighting the Olympic Torch at the peak of Mt. Everest - the highest mountain in the World.
Spacecraft Lands Successfully on Mars
The NASA Phoenix Lander Spacecraft's nine month, 455 million mile journey came to a successful end yesterday as it safely touched down on the surface of the Red Planet. NASA Scientists waited with abated breath as the spacecraft slowed from speeds of over 12,000 mph to just about 5mph before coming to a complete halt.
The Adventures Of Orange Ted
This touching tale of Orange Ted, a one-eyed 50-year old teddy bear and seven-year old Jaimee Armstrong may sound like fiction, but the entire story is true. It all began in Girona, Spain on April 23rd, when Jamie, returning from a family vacation, forgot her bag of toys at the airport.
16-Year High School Student Attempts Solo Sail
16-year old Zac Sunderland from Southern California just embarked on a journey that most adults would be hesitant to take. On Saturday, he left on his 36 foot sailboat Intrepid, to go around the world solo, in an attempt to break a 12-year old record set by Australia sailor, David Dicks.
The Adventures Of A Lone Horseman
Eduardo Discoli calls himself a Gaucho (cowboy). However, unlike most cowboys, Eduardo isn't content with just riding on his ranch - Instead this 58-year old Argentinean is horseback riding around the World, and has been doing so since 2001
Fusionman Soars Over English Channel
Swiss Adventurer Yves Rossy, also known as Jetman or Fusionman, made history this morning by flying across the English Channel with just a jet-propelled wing on his back. Yves, who had to postpone the flight twice this week due to bad weather, soared across the skies at about a 100 mph on a beautiful fall afternoon, completing the 22-mile journey in just 13 minutes.
Wisconsin Man's Unusual Mode Of Transport
We have heard of pumpkins being used to make pies, Jack-O-Lanterns and even a temporary coach to transport Cinderella to the ball, but a canoe? - That is definitely a first.
Video Of The Week - Columbus Day
Today, many people in America and other countries of the World celebrated Columbus Day - the anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas on October 12th, 1492. This week's video traces his journey from Spain to the shores of the new World, he mistook for India.
Crinkly The Crook-Necked Swan Returns
Crinkly, a Bewick swan has become a celebrity at a nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England. Every Winter, visitors flock to see him when he makes his mammoth 3,000 mile journey from the freezing Russian Tundra to the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust, and so far, he hasn't let them down.
President Obama's Letter To Sasha And Malia
Today, was Mr. Barack Obama's first day as President of the United States of America. While his new job is important to him, what is even more important is being a good father - something he has never forgotten throughout his historic journey to the White House.
The Longest Solar-Powered Flight
This week, a group of young adventurers set a new record for the longest solar-powered flight on a paramotor (machine powered paragliders). The nine pilots, including four from the Cardozo family, flew 1,242 miles from Monte Carlo to Morocco, using just the backpack-sized device.
Help NASA Monitor LCROSS
Earlier this summer, a shuttle dubbed Atlas V took off for an unmanned journey to the moon, carrying with it a Lunar Robotic Satellite and a Spacecraft nicknamed LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite).
Row, Row, Row Your Boat . . . . . . Across The Pacific!
Friday, the 13th was a great day for two British seafarers - For that was day when Captain Mick Dawson and Chris Martin completed the Golden Gate Endeavour, a 5,000-mile rowing expedition that began in Japan and ended at . . . . . You guessed it - The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco!
Fusionman's Latest Attempt Ends In The Atlantic
Swiss adventurer, James Rossy, also known as Fusionman or Jet Man, made headlines last year, when he became the first man to fly across the English Channel, with just a jet-propelled wing across his back. His latest attempt however, was not as successful.
Solar-Powered Plane Soars - 3ft Above The Ground!
On December 17th, 1903 the Wright brothers revolutionized our world when they piloted their first powered flight that went up 20ft, lasted for 12 seconds and traveled a distance of 120ft. Now, almost 106 years later, two Swiss inventors have achieved a similar feat, with the successful maiden voyage of the world's first piloted solar-powered airplane - the Solar Impulse.
'Up' Inspires Balloon Flight Across English Channel
For those of you have seen Pixar's Up, you may recall 78-year old Carl and eight-year old Russell, who flew off in a house lifted by helium balloons. Now, an American man has accomplished a similiar journey - However instead of flying thousands of miles inside a house, he sat in an office chair and 'flew' 22 miles, across the English Channel.
From London To Auckland - Aboard A Jet-Ski
On August 1st, four adventurers set off on a 32,000-kilometer epic journey that will take them from London's Excel Marina all the way to the world famous Sydney harbor and then to their final destination, Auckland. Their mode of transport? A Seadoo GTX 155 Personal Watercraft, commonly known as a Jet Ski.
The Great Caterpillar Migration
We have all heard of the annual wildebeest migration across Africa's Serengeti - But a caterpillar migration? Now that's got to be a first!
Driverless Vans Complete 8,000 Mile Journey
On October 28th, two minivans arrived amidst much fanfare, to the World Expo in Shanghai, after completing an epic 8,000-mile (13,000 km) voyage across two continents in 92 days. What was so epic about the journey? Just the fact that it was the longest single trip ever made by autonomous or driverless vans.
A Rare Peek Inside Space Shuttle Discovery
It has been on 39 missions, completed 5,830 orbits, flown 148 million miles and spent 395 days in Space - Now NASA's flagship Space Shuttle Discovery, is getting ready for its last journey to Smithsonian's Air and Space museum in Washington D.C.
Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off For Final Mission
Over the last 30-years, we have all become so accustomed to watching NASA's spectacular shuttle launches, that we often take it for granted. Unfortunately, like all good things this too, has come to an end.
Star Wars Fan Begins 2,500-Mile Trek For Charity
It seems as though marathons and e-mail please are not enough to raise money for charity these days. First, there was the British teenager who 'biked' over water, now an Australian has begun a 2,500-mile trek across the country, dressed in full Stormtrooper armor.
'Runaway' Cat Found 1,800-Miles Away From Home
1,800 miles is a long way to travel, especially if you are just a tiny cat who weighs a mere five and a half pounds - But that apparently is the journey Willow, a Calico cat made when she trotted all the way from Colorado to New York City.
Mock Mission To Mars Is A Success
On June 3rd 2010, six brave astronauts bid adieu to their family and friends and launched off to Mars - This of course was not an actual mission to the Red Planet, but a simulated journey that entailed confining them inside a sealed five-capsule 1000sq.ft. unit, for 520 days.
Video Of The Week - Around The World In 5 Minutes
If you have always dreamt of traveling around the world, here is your chance. In less than five minutes you will be able to experience some of the most beautiful places on earth without, spending a dime!
Costa Concordia - The Modern Day Titanic Disaster
On January 13th, just two hours after luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia left the Italian port of Civitavecchia for Savona, the final destination of its seven-day journey, it struck a rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the shore of Italy's Tuscan Island. The impact created a 160 foot long gash in her hull, causing water to gush in at an alarming speed.
Avatar Director Prepares To Journey Into The Deepest Of Seas
Almost everyone knows that director James Cameron is the genius behind two of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters - Titanic and Avatar. What they don't know is that he is an expert diver who has filmed two underwater documentaries - Ghosts of the Abyss (about the real Titanic) and Aliens of the Deep.
James Cameron Solo Voyage To Challenger Deep Is A Success!
Seven years of meticulous design and planning all came together on Monday March 26th, when James Cameron became the first human to make a solo trip to the deepest known point on earth - The Challenger Deep! More importantly though, he emerged safely seven hours later, complete with exciting photos and videos from this dark mysterious world that has previously been visited by only two humans!
The RMS Titanic, Still in Our Hearts, 100 Years Later
Today April 15th, marks the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Dubbed 'The ship of dreams', the luxury cruise liner was like no other. Considered an engineering marvel a century ago, it was not only the largest ship to ever grace the seas, but also, featured unrivaled grandeur and amenities. Not surprisingly, its inaugural and only passenger list, included some of the world's most powerful and wealthiest people.
Solar-Powered Boat Successfully Circumvents The Globe
Swiss Engineer Raphael Domjan had a dream - To prove to the world that fossils fuels or wind power were not the the only solutions to powering sea travel by sailing around the world, in a vessel, that drew its energy solely from the sun.
Video Of The Week - A Bird's Eye View Of Earth From Space
One of the coolest things about orbiting around the Earth in the International Space Station must be the magnificent view, which changes almost every second. Now, thanks to sophisticated cameras these have been captured and compiled into a stunning time-lapse video for those of us not fortunate or old enough, to be astronauts.
Solar Powered Plane Completes History-Making Intercontinental Flight
While the idea of harnessing the sun's energy for fuel has been around since the 1830's the impetus to use this free and clean source of power for commercial transportation seems to have accelerated lately. Just a month ago, the MS Turanor Planet Solar, became the first solar-powered boat to circumvent the globe and now, a single-passenger airplane has taken the green energy to the skies with a successful Intercontinental flight.
Olympic Fan Pedaled Across 16 Countries To Get To The 2012 London Games
While the Summer Olympics may be over, the incredible stories about the dedicated athletes and their equally dedicated fans, keep pouring in. 57-year old Chen Gunanming from China's Jiangsu Province is one of them. Though not an Olympic athlete, his incredible journey to attend the 2012 London games deserves a gold medal for sheer perseverance and effort.
British Explorers Embark Upon 'The Coldest Journey' On Earth!
On January 7th, 68-year-old British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his team of five sailed off from the picturesque port of Cape Town, to begin the first leg of what is aptly being called 'The Coldest Journey' - A never before done 2,300-mile trek across the Antarctica in winter!
Applications Pour In For First Private Mission To Mars
In February 2013, US multimillionaire Dennis Tito announced that his non-profit organization, Inspiration Mars Foundation, was planning to sponsor two 'qualified' people for a flyby to Mars in 2018. While one would think that an announcement this ambitious from a man whose closest encounter with Space has been as the first paying guest of the International Space Station would arouse some skepticism, such is not the case.
Solar-Powered Plane Completes Historic 'Across America' Flight
Solar Impulse, the world's first single passenger solar-powered airplane has come a long way since its first flight in 2009, when it rose a mere 3 feet above the ground and flew for just 1,150 feet in the 30 seconds it was in air. In 2012, the elegant green flying machine successfully completed an intercontinental trip from Europe to Africa and on July 6th, 2013, added another feather or should we say 'wing' to its cap, with a flight across the United States of America.
Texas Christian University Welcomes Its Youngest Freshman Ever!
On Monday, August 26th, over 1,500 freshman made their way to Texas Christian University's beautiful campus for the first day of a four-year journey, one from where they will all emerge as adults. The only exception? Carson Huey-You who will not even be eligible to drive when he graduates because he happens to be only eleven years old!Join Class
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