The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program reaches more than 7,000 teachers and students throughout the school year.

AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATOR AND ENGINEER:

Leon Raymon RoddyLeon Raymon Roddy was born in 1922 in Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas College, a M.S. degree from the University of Michigan in 1949, and his doctorate degree from Ohio State University, in 1953. He was an entomologist, which is a person who studies and classifies insects. However, Roddy is most famous for his study of arachnids, specifically

spiders. He named more than 300 spiders native to Louisiana. Other arachnids include ticks and scorpions. Roddy chose to study spiders because they eat pests, and this interaction has a great impact on the environment.

Roddy served in World War II, and was later a professor at Tillotson College, Austin, Texas, then at Southern University in Louisiana. Roddy was featured in the book American Black Scientists and Inventors and Ebony magazine. In an Ebony magazine interview published in March 1962, Roddy encouraged schools to develop a strong science program and to encourage African Americans to have a solid background in math and physics. Roddy stated that “Research is one of the tools of a great teacher.”

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made a contribution in science, math or technology.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

SCIENCE CORNERAn entomologist studies insects. Why are entomologists important? Insects outnumber all species of plants and animals combined. With the sheer number of insects, they have a large impact on the environment. Some insects have adapted to live with humans—such as ants and cockroaches, and some have adapted to live on humans—such as lice and mosquitos.

The Natural History Museum interviewed entomologist Zoe

Adams. She became interested in entomology in college when a lecturer

spoke about human parasites. Adams was hooked! Adams enjoys the fact that insects are constantly changing and evolving with the

changes in the environment. She enjoys research and learning new things. However, Adams mentioned that it is often difficult to get funding for research.

If you are interested in entomology, research local clubs, such as 4H or “Y”Clubs that have an entomology group. Check out a book about insects at the local library. Observe insects in your neighborhood. Classify them by number of legs, wingspan, color, etc.

To View 3D Insects Online, Visit: http://home.comcast.net/~sharov/3d/3dinsect.html.

Learning Standard: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can use these details as background knowledge to better understand a new topic.

What Is An Entomologist?

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE STARS

DID YOU KNOW?

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Background Information: In this experiment, you will test insects to see if they prefer cold or warm temperature. How do insects react to temperature change?

Materials Needed:

• Bug Net • Tall Clear Plastic Cup • Thermometer • Mesh • Paper • Pencil • Refrigerator

Procedure: q Use your bug net to capture an

insect.

w Place the insect and thermometer in the plastic cup and cover with mesh.

e Record the temperature and observe the insect’s activity.

r Put the cup in the refrigerator until the temperature is 15 degrees lower. Observe the insect’s activity.

t Repeat steps three and four.

y Put the cup, with the insect, back in its home environment. How long does it take the insect to come

out of the cup?

Analyze: How did the insect’s activity level change with the drop in temperature?

People and other mammals maintain a consistent body temperature of 98.6 degrees, even in warm and cold weather. They adapt by

sweating, shivering, etc. Insects, however, are cold blooded, so they are more influenced by the

temperature. If the weather is cold, so are they. What insects do you see in summer? What insects do you see in winter? Do you see more insects indoors or outdoors?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential steps to complete a procedure. I can analyze results.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT Insects. Cold or Warm Blooded?

In the science experiment, you observed the effect of temperature. Scientists will often observe temperature in their experiments and classifications. Answer the following questions about temperature.

A scientist has a liquid that is 93 degrees. If the liquid needs to

heat another 22 degrees,

what temperature will the liquid be? ________

A science textbook describes a planet that is 240 degrees during the day, but drops 80 degrees lower at night. What temperature is the planet at night? ________

If the temperature in your city is 68 degrees during the day, but it drops

26 degrees at night, what is the temperature at night? ________

If the weather station predicted a high temperature of 88 degrees

and the actual temperature was 9 degrees lower, what was the actual

temperature?________

Learning Standards: I can add and subtract to calculate differences in temperature.

MATH CONNECTION

Use the newspaper to complete these activities to sharpen your skills for the MAP test.

Activity One — Adjectives: Set a timer for five minutes. How many adjectives can you find in the newspaper? Why are adjectives included? Next, try your hand at using adjectives. Find an advertisement or a picture and list as many adjectives to describe the image as you can.

Activity Two — Fractions to Decimals: Advertisements for bank rates and car loans often include fractional parts.

Convert these fractions to decimals.

Learning Standards: I can identify and create adjectives, and state their purpose. I can use math computations to convert numbers.

The fear of spiders is called arachnophobia.

Spider silk is extremely strong and is used to catch prey. An abandoned spider web is called a cobweb.

Of the more than 40,000 species of spiders, the smallest is called the Patu Marplesi. Ten of them could fit on the tip of a pencil.

MAP CORNER

This special Newspaper In Education initiative is made possible through The St. Louis American Foundation and its NIE Corporate Partners:

Dr. Roddy advises any student interested in a scientific career “to get a good background in mathematics and physics. With such a

background, he [or she] will be prepared to work in either physical or natural science. There are many opportunities in either area.“ Good advice in 1962 and now! Photo courtesy

Ebony Magazine.

Pershing Elementary School 5th grade teacher Kea Daniels works with students Christian Malloyd,Camryn Moore, Jaisean Rice, and Jayla Yancy on a STEM project to show how water changes the pitch of a jar when tapped. The school is in the University City School District. Photo: Wiley Price / St. Louis American

Calculating Temperature!

Spiders are found on every continent of the world, except Antarctica.

Photo courtesy Ebony Magazine.

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Exercise

Nutrition

Healthy KidsHealthy KidsNEWSPAPER INEDUCATIONPlanting the Seeds for Success!

PRESENT:

Healthcare Careers

And...

The weekly Healthy Kids page provides health tips on nutrition, exercise and more.

Healthy Snacks

Pizza Roll-Up Ingredients: 1 whole-wheat tortilla, 2 tbsp pizza sauce, 12 baby spinach leaves, 3 tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella

Directions: Spread sauce on tortilla, top with a layer of the spinach leaves and sprinkle cheese on top. Microwave on high until the cheese melts (about 30-45 seconds). Carefully roll the tortilla and slice into bite-size pieces.

Where do you work? Center For Hearing & Speech.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO. I then received my

B.S. in Communication Disorders from St. Louis University and an Au.D, Doctor of Audiology from Central Michigan University.

What does an audiologist do? I test hearing, fit hearing aids and through those things, I get a chance to help improve people’s lives.

Why did you choose this career? I met a woman named Helen Smith and she has Meniere’s disease, which affects the inner ear. It didn’t seem like she was getting the help she needed, so I changed my major to help her and in the process, I have been able to help hundreds of other people.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? One of my favorite things to do is remove wax from the ear. This simple procedure can improve someone’s hearing and keep their ears healthy. I have found lots of other things such as beans and cotton in ears as well! I remind our patients that it is a good idea to never put anything smaller than their elbow into their ear.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Rebecca Frazier, Au.D. Chief Audiologist

Nutrition Challenge: For years kids were taught the proper variety of different categories of food by the use of a “Food Pyramid.” The tip of the pyramid represented the small amount of fats a child should consume and that was followed by the five food groups (Milk/Cheese, Meat, Vegetables, Fruits and Grains/Breads). Now the more common image is a plate divided up into portions, showing how much room vegetables, fruit, meats and breads should fill.

The image also includes a side of milk.

Seeing the different kinds of foods on a plate can help you see

how much of each type of food you should eat. Notice that the fruits/

vegetables portion fills half of your plate. And remember to include whole

grains into the “bread” section of your plate.

For more information visit: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

DividingYourPlate!

Play Tag!

A fun way to run around, get your heart rate up and have fun is to play good old-fashioned tag. One person is “it” and they must tag someone else who is now the chaser. This game has many variations including:

Freeze Tag — Once you are tagged, you are frozen until a friend crawls through your legs to un-freeze you. Game continues until everyone is

frozen. When this happens, the first one frozen is now “it.”

Partners Tag — Two people hold hands and chase the others. Once they catch another player, that player joins their chain. Once two more partners have joined the team, they can split

into two teams of two, and so on. (Teams must always have at least two players.)

Flashlight Tag — Instead of tagging other players, “it” must simply shine a flashlight on another player, who then becomes “it.”

What are some other ways to play tag? Share your ideas with your classmates.

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 1, NH 5

Most of our childhood we are taught to share. But there are some things that should never be shared! These include eating utensils such as forks, spoons, straws and even napkins. But some other items to keep to yourself are your brush, comb, toothbrush, headbands and make-up. Germs, allergens and even living organism (such as lice) can be passed through sharing these items. What are some other items that should not be shared?

Learning Standards: HPE 3, NH 1, NH 7

D o n ’ t S h a r e !

Make Delicious Cold To-Go Drinkswith an Empty Jar!

Try all of these yummy recipes using the exact same method! Crush the ice ahead of time to turn any of these into a smoothie.(Note: Measurements based on standard 12oz Mason Jar. Adjust accordingly.)

Next Week...Hangers

Watermelon Lemonade1 Teaspoon of Sugar

POP the Lid on tightly!

Shake vigorously for one minute.

ENJOY!

1/3 Cup of Diced Watermelon

3 Teaspoons of Lemon Juice

1/2 Cup of Ice Cubes

1/4 Cup of Cold Water

Kiwi Melon Drink

Create-Your-Own Cold Drink!

Cherry Limeade1/2 Cup of Lemon Lime Soda

2 Cherries (1 whole, 1 Crushed)

3 Teaspoons of Lime Juice

1/2 Cup of Ice Cubes

1 Teaspoon of Sugar

1/3 Cup of Diced Honeydew

1 Peeled and Diced Kiwi

1/2 Cup of Ice Cubes

1/4 Cup of Cold Water

Citrus Punch Drink1/2 Cup of Ginger Ale

1/2 Cup of Ice Cubes

1/4 Cup of Orange Juice

1/4 Cup of Cranberry Juice

Experiment with fruit, juice, soda and other ingredients to make your own creations!