News-O-Matic

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! News-O-Matic readers sent in tons of drawings and messages for educators. Here are a few of our favorites! Thank you to our teachers for all you do! Credit to Keerat, Miracle, Madison, and Maihoa for their lovely drawings!... #teacherappreciationweek #teachersrock #teacherlife #thankyouteachers

It’s Adopt a Shelter Pet Day! We interviewed Ms. Mustachia's new mama to mark this special day. Kids can read all about Ms. M’s moving story. She was found in a box on the side of the road by the Arizona Humane Society. Now, the lil pup is thriving in her new home! Check out her sweet 'stache!

Are you up for an adventure? Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth. The Challenger Deep is the deepest place on the planet. Victor Vescovo has been to them both. What would your kids want to ask him about his adventures? Have your kids and students send questions for Vescovo to [email protected]! They can also send using our app's News Room. We will ask those questions when we interview the global explorer!

Today’s edition: Let’s learn about Magellan! Was he a heroic explorer or a villain? Kids can also get the lowdown on a brand-new malaria vaccine, a historic Oscars ceremony, what beavers are doing to Patagonia, and (of course) Nicaragua in our Countries A-Z series!

Three cheers for Earth Week! We love our themed editions Today, kids can read a Q&A with Licypriya Kangujam, a 9-year-old climate activist from India. They can also learn about Africa’s Great Green Wall movement, the environmental group Greenpeace, and much more! #earthday #earthday2021 #licypriyakangujam #newsomatic

It is #HolocaustRemembranceDay on January 27. To help students make powerful connections to history, we've asked survivor Toby Levy to share her stories. She will answer kids' questions about her life and experience in the Holocaust including nearly 2 years hiding in a barn in Poland. Do you know a young person who would like to learn from Ms. Levy? Anyone can send her a question through our news site or by leaving a comment below. Thanks to the Museum of Jewish Heritage -... A Living Memorial to the Holocaust for organizing the Q&A. https://app.newsomatic.net/2021/1/11/interview-a-survivor

Today is the day! On this Winter Solstice, Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer in the sky than any time since 1623. Students should look southwest after sunset to spot the #GreatConjuction. Kids can read about the event below. (One of our young readers created the artwork to show what it will look like!)... https://app.newsomatic.net/2020/12/13/planets-line-up Don't miss it. The two largest planets in our solar system won't come this close again until 2080!

We were so sad to learn that the NSF - National Science Foundation will have to decommission the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Our way to honor the giant telescope was to teach the next generation about its revolutionary impact. Thanks to all the scientists and researchers who shared their stories with us. We've included all your voices for a feature in today's edition about Arecibo. As a result, countless kids will learn about your dedication to making discoveries wit...h space science. We hope to help inspire and empower students through your powerful words. #WhatAreciboMeansToMe #STEM

On this date 25 years ago, Toy Story premiered in Hollywood, California. It was the first computer-generated feature film in history! Students should learn how moviemakers came together to make this revolutionary film. They should also understand the impact of Toy Story on the industry. That's why we spoke with two of the artists involved in the Walt Disney Studios film. #toystory

We're honored to share the inspiring story of Chris Nikic as our top feature in today's edition. He became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman race! That's a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, AND a 26.2-mile run. Nikic explained that having Down syndrome affects his balance and muscle tone. He fell off his bike about halfway through the race. He also got bitten by fire ants "all over" his body. Did he think about giving up? Yeah, Nikic told us. But then I fought my way through. -- Chris Nikic