Main Idea

MIX IT UP

100

Suppose you mention the name of your new neighbor to a friend. “Oh, I know him,” your friend replies. “He seems nice at first, but it’s all an act.” Perhaps this appraisal is off-base. The neighbor may have changed since your friend knew him, or perhaps your friend’s judgment is simply unfair. People tend to cling to their first impressions, even if they are wrong.

People tend to cling to their first impressions, even if they are wrong.

200

At 4,500 miles long,taller than five men, and wide enough to allow at least six horses to gallop side by side atop it, the Great Wall is so huge it can be seen from space. The Great Wall of China is a truly remarkable creation. The Wall is constructed of four-inch blocks made of compressed earth, stone, willow twigs, and the remains of laborers who died among the millions who worked on its construction.

The Great Wall of China is a truly remarkable creation.

300

In species such as the red-back spider, the black widow spider, the praying mantis, and the scorpion, the female commonly eats the male after mating. Shocking as it seems, cannibalism is common in the animal world. Another widespread form of animal cannibalism is size-structured cannibalism, in which large individuals consume smaller ones.

Shocking as it seems, cannibalism is common in the animal world.

400

Many people feel that violence on television is harmless entertainment. One study showed that frequent TV watchers are more fearful and suspicious of others. Some people try to protect themselves from the outside world with extra locks on the doors, alarm systems, guard dogs, and guns. In addition, that same study showed that heavy TV watchers are less upset about real-life violence than non-TV watchers. We now know that TV violence does affect people in negative ways.

We now know that TV violence does affect people in negative ways.

500

Following the right steps can definitely turn an old furniture piece into a welcomed addition to any home. Changing the look of an old piece of furniture begins with the removal the the existing paint or finish. You can buy several products designed for paint removal. After removing the paint, the piece must be well sanded. The sanded piece should be primed if necessary to eliminate any "bleeding through" of the original color. The new paint should be applied neatly and carefully, allowing for the appropriate amount of time for drying before applying a second coat if needed. Depending on your preference, you may want to add a clear coat to finish the job.

Following the right steps can definitely turn an old furniture piece into a welcomed addition to any home.

EARTHQUAKES

100

Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake. They use an instrument called the Richter scale. The Richter scale compares the strength of different earthquakes. Earthquakes below 2.0 usually can’t be felt. Earthquakes over 5.0 on the scale can cause damage. A magnitude 7.0 is a major earthquake and can cause tremendous damage. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?

Scientists can measure the intensity of an earthquake.

200

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly. Volcanoes can erupt and spread lava, rock and ash for several miles. Earthquakes can leave large cracks in the Earth's surface. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?

There are several events that can change the Earth's surface very quickly.

300

The earth's surface is constantly changing. All over the world everyday there are earthquakes, floods and volcanoes that quickly change our world. Some changes are too small to see. Others cause tremendous damage and costs millions of dollars to clean up.

The earth's surface is constantly changing.

400

Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move. Earthquakes happen along "fault lines" in the earth’s crust. When the plates in the Earth suddenly shift, the Earth will begin to shift, shake or tremble.

Earthquakes are caused when the plates of the Earth's crust move.

500

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood. WHAT IS THE MAIN IDEA?

Floods can cause tremendous damage.

MIX-IT-UP

100

Some insects can go without food for half a year. Others can stay under water for a week and not be harmed. Some can be frozen stiff and then be all right. Bugs can survive longer than you think. One bug was known to live for a year after its head was cut off.

Bugs can survive longer than you think.

200

One of the best ways to lock a door is with a time lock. The lock is set for a certain time. It will not open before the time that has been set. It won't open when that time has passed. Banks find that time locks help keep your money safe.

Banks find that time locks help keep your money safe.

300

Each year seasonal winds brought seemingly endless downpours. The rainy season, called the monsoon, usually lasted from May through September. Heavy rains were a part of life in Vietnam. Though the rains were torrential, they weren’t always destructive.

Heavy rains were a part of life in Vietnam.

400

His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. Juan also likes to play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck. Juan loves to play games. He prefers Monopoly because it requires luck and skill. If he’s alone, Juan likes to play action video games as long as they aren’t too violent.

Juan loves to play games.

500

Diamonds are often used for industrial purposes. Whole diamond stones are set into tools. Dust from crushed diamond stones is used for coating the edges of tools. The diamond is a hard element that can cut through almost any metal. Care must be taken when exposing diamonds to extreme heat because heat can turn them into graphite. Graphite is the soft material used in the manufacture of lead for pencils.

The diamond is a hard element that can cut through almost any metal.

ROBOTS

100

What do you get when you cross a robot and an astronaut? A Robonaut! Work on the first Robonaut began in 1997, and by 2002 Robonaut B was revealed to the public. Robonaut B may have featured interchangeable lower bodies, like four-wheel mode or hydraulic legs, but scientists and engineers continued to improve Robonaut. Robonauts are robot helpers designed to work side-by-side with astronauts. In February of 2010, Robonaut 2 was released to the public. Robonaut 2 moved four times faster than the first Robonaut. An advanced version of Robonaut 2 was finally tested in outer space in 2011. Robonaut functioned exactly as designed.

Robonauts are robot helpers designed to work side-by-side with astronauts.

200

It has come to my attention that the workshop has been left an absolute mess on at least two separate occasions. Remember, that this is a shared space, so we must clean up behind ourselves after every meeting. It is in the spirit of keeping our club meeting space that we establish this rule: when you take a tool off the rack, put it back. If everyone puts their tools back immediately after they are done using them, there will be minimal mess to clean up, and we won't get kicked out of the spot. So, if you like having a meeting place, put your tools back.

It has come to my attention that the workshop has been left an absolute mess on at least two separate occasions.

300

First, fluid is rapidly released into a chamber through a valve. As the fluid collect, the valve is slammed shut which causes a pressure spike. Because the chamber is sealed, the pressure has nowhere to go. The hydraulic mechanism channels the pressure and provides great power. And that's how, with the help of hydraulics, Grandma can stop a car with one foot. From airplanes to forklifts, hydraulic power is the strength behind many amazing technologies that affect our daily lives. This is how hydraulics work.

This is how hydraulics work.

400

Many people use the words cyborg and android interchangeably when, in fact, they have different meanings. Both terms refer to beings powered by robotics, but an android is powered entirely by robots. Though androids are completely mechanical, they are designed to look like humans. This is how androids are different from cyborgs. They may have synthetic skin, hair, and other features, but no human organs. On the other hand, cyborgs are part human and part machine. They may have robotic hands, legs, or eyes, but all cyborgs have surgically implanted technologies that enhance their abilities.

This is how androids are different from cyborgs.

500

Automation is the use of machines to reduce the need for human labor. In other words automation is when jobs done by people become jobs done by robots. Automation can be a good thing. Because of automation, clothing, cars, and other manufactured products are available at good prices and in large supply. But automation can also be a bad thing. Because of automation, there are over 700,000 robots in America alone that do jobs once performed by humans. The way of automation may not be best for humanity, but it is the course we are taking.

Automation can be a good thing.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

100

When he was twenty-two, Benjamin Franklin set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard’s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings. Benjamin Franklin loved to write.

Benjamin Franklin loved to write.

200

Benjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia. He started the city’s first hospital and fire department. Ben also started Philadelphia’s first public library. Benjamin Franklin worked very hard to make Philadelphia a better place to live.

Benjamin Franklin loved the city of Philadelphia.

300

One day Benjamin tried a very dangerous experiment to prove that lightning was electricity. He attached a key to a kite string and flew the kite during a thunderstorm. Benjamin Franklin was very interested in electricity.When the lightning hit the kite, sparks flew from the key. Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electricity.

Benjamin Franklin was very interested in electricity.

400

Benjamin invented the lightning rod that saved many homes from fires. He also invented the Franklin stove. The stove could heat a room better than a fireplace and saved people a lot of fuel. He also invented a special kind of glasses called bifocals. This new kind of glasses helped people to read better. Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700’s.

Benjamin Franklin invented many things that made life easier in the late 1700’s.

500

Benjamin Franklin started the first public library, where people could borrow books for a small fee. The fees were used to buy more books for the library. Benjamin Franklin helped to improve the quality of life in Philadelphia. He also started the first fire department. The Union Fire Company was the world's first volunteer fire department. He worked to get paved roads and street lights so the city would be cleaner, safer, and more impressive.

Benjamin Franklin helped to improve the quality of life in Philadelphia.