Kids News - Articles for Grades 6-8

Many people consider the number 13, unlucky. That is why commercial and residential buildings often don't have a designated '13th' floor. But when the day falls on a Friday, the fear factor increases substantially. The good news is that this is the only one we will encounter in 2014. The bad? For the first time in 14 years, it coincides with another bad omen - a full moon!...

With the increasing popularity of text messaging and social media sites like Twitter, which allow limited characters, people have become increasingly innovative with conventional English words. Laugh out loud has transformed into lol and even the simple ok is now better recognized as just k. It is therefore not surprising to hear that HarperCollins, one of the world's largest publishers has decided to start legitimizing the new language by adding it to the 12th print edition of the Collin's English dictionary....

For those of us who believe that all ice cubes are created equal, here is some enlightening news - They are not. At least that's what the folks at California's Gläce Luxury Ice Co, would like us to believe. The Davis-based company asserts that the ice cubes they manufacture are healthier and last longer than the ones that we pop in our drinks on a daily basis. In addition the company also claims that their ice cubes do not leave behind an after-taste in drinks, like regular ones do....

A Chinese farmer is making headlines all over the world thanks to his unusual mode of transport - a motorized suitcase! The steerable scooter-suitcase that weighs 15lbs when empty, is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery and can carry two passengers for up to 60km (37-miles) at a maximum speed of 20km/h (12mph)....

From May 15th to June 15th, Muscovites seeking entertainment have a unique option - vocal, dance and even stand up comic performances by some of the world's most advanced robots. Called 'Ball of Robots', the month-long event at the city's Artplay Center features over 20 skilled robot entertainers from countries all around the world, including Canada, United States, Japan, France and New Zealand....

The fact that dogs and cats dislike each other is no secret. Now the results of this new study may evoke a similar feeling between the animal owners. That's because it asserts that cat owners are generally smarter than dog owners!...

Judging by their looks, one would never guess that New Zealand's national bird - the tiny flightless kiwi and the colossal African elephant bird that roamed Madagascar until the 17th Century, had much in common. While the kiwi is roughly the size of a modern chicken and weighs between three to seven pounds, the elephant bird loomed a massive ten feet tall, and could weigh as much as 600 pounds! In addition to the difference in size, the two species lived 7,000 miles apart, making any connection between the two almost impossible....

The next time you are moaning and groaning about having to run a mile or two at school, be sure to think of 91-year-old Harriet Thompson, who not only completed the San Diego Rock N' Roll marathon on Saturday, May 31st, but also broke two records. What's even more impressive is that she accomplished the feat while still recovering from burns on her legs caused by recent radiation treatments to help treat her skin cancer....

Anyone that has attempted to build a free-standing Lego tower knows how difficult it is to keep it from toppling over. So it is not surprising to hear that the elementary students in Budapest requested a team of official Lego builders from Denmark to help them build one that would surpass the existing record holder - a 112-ft 11-inch tower constructed in August 2013, by students from John Dickinson High School in Wilmington, Delaware....