Back to School Trivia
What is the term for the vehicle commonly used to transport students to and from school?
School bus. In the early 1930s, manufacturing company Wayne Works was credited with producing the earliest school bus, made of steel with glass windows for safety. In 1939, the University of Manhattan hosted a meeting that set national standards for the vehicles
She sang the hit 1984 song "What's Love got to do with It?"
Tina Turner
For the busy person who flies to destinations for work trips, this mode of commercial transportation hearkens back to a slower time.
Train travel. It's the perfect example of "the destination is the journey." Both Canada and the United States have transcontinental train travel
This is the first form of mass communication after the newspaper
What is radio? Cell phones and Bluetooth would not have been possible without the discovery that radio waves travel through space.
The ruins of this "unsinkable" ship were found in September 1985
What is the RMS Titanic? After more than 70 years at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, a French American expedition found the remains.
What school subject involves the study of numbers and equations?
Mathematics. In the 1950s, the term new math was introduced by Max Beberman, who encouraged students to use the principles of mathematics to think about problems and draw conclusions. Previous generations were primarily taught mathematics by using memorization.
This difficult multi-coloured cube puzzle had its own TV series.
What is Rubik's Cube? Rubik, the Amazing Cube is a cartoon series that originally aired from 1983-1984
Some people want to travel to all seven of these major areas across the globe.
What are the continents. Some wealthy travelers might also register for space travel on SpaceX, Blue Origin, or Virgin Galactic.
This appliance can be found in most kitchens in North America. It causes the water molecules in food to vibrate, heating them up quickly.
What is the microwave? In 1947, the first microwave oven cost $5,000. In today's money, that's roughly $69,500.
This casual piece of furniture is associated with men for relaxation and watching tv.
What is a recliner? It is also sometimes referred to as the La-Z-Boy. However, the company6 is a furniture manufacturer that sells more than just these popular recliners
What is the term for the document issued at the end of a grading period that details a student’s performance in their classes?
Report card. The earliest report cards can be traced back to the 1830s and ’40s as a way for teachers to control unruly students. These early report cards often detailed a student’s behavior, attendance, and academic performance.
Jane Fonda told us to feel this while using her 1982 exercise program
You can soar high above the ground in the "bucket" of one of these.
What is a hot-air balloon? If you like to view hot-air balloons, you can visit the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held every fall.
A popular recent addition to cars for winter driving, these keep you cozy and can also relieve back pain
What are heated seats? The seats also increase circulation and are invaluable if you stranded in winter and need to stay warm until help arrives.
If women are from Venus, men are from this planet.
What is Mars? John Gray popularized the planet comparison in his book men are from mars, women are from venus
What was the traditional material used to make chalkboards?
Slate. Chalkboards were traditionally made using a large, smooth piece of dark-gray slate. Prior to the introduction of the chalkboard, teachers had no way to visually depict their lessons.
Who Directed the Movie E.T.?
Steven Spielberg
If you run a 26.2 mile race, you are participating in one of these.
What is a marathon? If running isn't for you, try a walkathon. Some charities, such as the March of Dimes, hold walkathons all over the country.
Cash used to be what was used for most consumer business transactions. Having cash is no longer a necessity when shopping due to the invention of this card that you can simply swipe/tap to make a transaction.
debit and/or credit cards
This is a popular name for a man's room in the home
What is a man cave? It's typically filled iwth games, musical instruments, exercise equipment, large tvs, and anything sports related.
What phrase is often used to describe the primary years of schooling, typically from kindergarten through fifth grade?
Elementary school. Prior to the term elementary school, the term common school was used to refer to state-supported school systems in the first half of the 19th century. Its purpose is to prepare students with fundamental skills and knowledge to support their educational journey.
In a famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate in June 1987, President Ronald Reagan exhorted Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down what structure that symbolized the division of Germany?
Berlin Wall
This dangerous activity, as we know it, dates back to France in the late 18th century and involves jumping from a very great height.
What is skydiving? Andre-Jacques Garnerin became famous in the late 18th centruy France when he jumped from hot-air balloons with a parachute for show.
This is the number of years in an eon
one billion. Between millennia and eons, we have eras and periods, both of which are undefined in duration but are defined by events.