December 2008 Results

Congratulations are in order for our winning team of Meheret & Natnael!










The winning Funny Photo goes to Jose and Elder. They will participate next month for free.
Here's their photo (which shows that it might be the funniest but Jose worked hard to get his friends to vote for his photo).










Here are the official results:

1) Meheret & Natnael = 675 points

2) Cameron & Joel = 451 points

3) Asha & Ariel = 372 points

4) Rose, Evelyn & Rebekah = 275 points

5) William & Christopher = 250 points

6) Jose & Elder = 249 points

7) Terel & Aaron = 175 points

8) Ti'Aira & Crystian = -74 points

Disqualified = Caron & Michael (For not starting on the correct clue)

December Results

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Winter Solstice Scavenger Hunt Answers

Clue #1 - It’s All In the Timing
Head to the A Journey to Our Future section of the Air & Space Museum and find the section related to the problem of getting to the moon. Scientists at NASA decided to use the spinning force of the Earth to help send a rocket into space but you have to time it right. You must wait for the “__ __ __ __ __ __ window.”

Since the Earth spins so fast, it’s like getting a giant push to send the rocket into space.
How fast does the Earth Spin anyway?
a) 5000 miles an hour
b) 1000 miles an hour
c) 3000 miles an hour

Go around the corner and get a photo of both of you on the moon signing your answer and pointing to Earth.







Bonus Video - To the Moon and Beyond
Stay in the same section as the “__ __ __ __ __ __ window” in Clue #1. Now you must successfully get your spaceship to the moon. Try it a few times until you know how to do it exactly.

Film one successful trip to the moon from beginning to end!


Clue # 2 - Orbital Vistas
Head to the Looking at Earth section of the Air & Space Museum and take a look at Earth from the International Space Station. These images were taken from the International Space Station which must be pretty far above the Earth to get great photos like this!

How far above the Earth is the International Space Station?
d) 1000 miles above Earth
e) 20 miles above Earth
f) 200 miles above Earth

One of NASA’s launch stations is in Houston, Texas. Use the joystick to zoom in on Houston and get a photo of one of you signing the correct answer while pointing to Houston, Texas.






Clue #3 - Kepler’s Laws
Head to the How Things Fly section of the Air & Space Museum take a look at the importance of Johannes Kepler’s work. He studied paths that planets traveled (their ORBITS that is!). He learned a lot of things using his math skills and his observation skills.
What did he learn about the orbits of the planets?
g) Orbits are circles and the closer to the sun the slower a planet moves. .
h) Orbits are ellipses (ovals) and the closer to the sun the faster a planet moves.
i) Orbits are ellipses (ovals) and the closer to the sun the slower a planet moves.

Get a photo of both of you signing the right answer in front of the picture of an orbit on Kepler’s wall.






Clue #4 - In the Land of the Ancient Times
Head to the Exploring the Planets section of the Air & Space Museum and find the section that deals with the title of this clue. Knowledge of the stars and planets goes back centuries to the Egyptians, Greeks and even civilizations before them. This knowledge also influenced the work of astronomers during the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution like Copernicus. He used the legacy of the past to make his famous “discovery” about all the planets.

What did Copernicus discover about the planets?
J) The word “planet” means ball in Greek and Copernicus said all planets orbited the Sun.
K) The word “planet” means journey in Egyptian and Copernicus said all planets orbited the Earth.
L) The word “planet” means wanderer in Greek and Copernicus said all planets orbited the Sun.

Get a photo of both of you in front of Copernicus signing the right answer.







Clue #5 - Man on the Moon
Head to the __ __ __ __ __ __ to the Moon section of the Air & Space Museum and find the large timeline close to the floor to find the year with the “First manned landing on the Moon.” This spaceship is named after the Greek Sun God.

What was the name of this Greek Sun God/spaceship and when did it land on the moon?
m) Apollo 11 and it landed on the moon in 1969
n) Mercury 7 and it landed on the moon in 1978
o) Zeus 3 and it landed on the moon in 1953 .








Clue #6 - Take a Long Walk
Head outdoors to “Walk the Solar System” in front of the Air & Space Museum. Go directly to Earth but pay attention to its position in the Solar System. Here is the first part of this challenge:
How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?
p) 3652.5 days
q) 36.525 days
r) 365.25 days
Photo: Now you have to travel to take your photo. Head to the entrance of the American Indian Museum. Outside the main entrance of the museum there is a “date stamp” of the planets. This means the sun is in the center of the circle and the planets are orbiting the sun. Find the symbol for Earth and have one of you sign the answer in front of this symbol. Remember, I must see the symbol of Earth AND your answer to this clue’s question in the photo. Only one person needed in the photo.







Clue # 7 - Earth’s Orbit Explained
Head to the main entrance to the American Indian Museum. On the ground in front of the museum you will see the “date” the museum was opened. The Sun is in the center and all the planets are orbiting it. Each planet has a different symbol. Find the symbol for Earth (How far is it from the sun? for a hint see clue #6). Now follow these instructions to complete your video.
1) Read the resource handout that explains: Why do we have Seasons? and also the Seasons of the Northern Hemisphere.
2) Shoot a video of one of you doing the following things:
--You must start at Earth’s symbol and make a complete orbit around the sun.
--While you orbit, shout out where each season will begin along this orbit…look at the diagram carefully.



Clue # 8 - Tilt a Whirl
Head to the National Gallery of Art’s West Building and solve this clue (Don’t forget to use your resource sheet):

First you’ll need to find the room # on the GROUND Floor…
[2 X (the degree of the Earth’s tilt)] - (the number of seasons in 1.5 years) = _________

Once you are in the right room, use your resource page to answer this question:

Which of these statements is true?
s) December 22 or 21st is the Winter Solstice and this is when this season ends.
t) December 22 or 21st is the Winter Solstice and this is when this season starts.
u) The Winter Solstice happens when the Sun shines on the Tropic of Cancer.

Photo: Take a photo of both of you signing this answer in front of the painting that BEST connects to this question.








Clue # 9 - Planet Business
Head to the National Gallery of Art’s West Building and find the room that is shaped most like the orbit of a planet. It also only has one major piece of art in this huge and central room.

Who is the Roman God of business and travelers?
v) Neptune
w) Venus .
x) Mercury
Figure this out by finding the god in the center of the room.
Solve this clue by taking a photo of both of you signing the answer in front of this statue.







Clue #10 - Sail the 7 Seas
Head to the National Gallery of Art’s West Building and find another planetary god. This time you’ll have to go to the room on the GROUND floor that is the answer to this problem:

2 X (the number of seas) = ____________

Once you are there, find the god that is on a Sea Monster.

Who is the God of the Seas?
y) Neptune
z) Mercury
a) Jupiter

Winter Solstice Scavenger Hunt Handout

On Saturday December 13th, we headed to the Air & Space Museum and learned about the upcoming Winter Solstice and our position in the Solar System.

Here is a hard copy of the actual scavenger hunt. Students had to find the correct answer and then use the American Sign Language alphabet to show the correct answer.
Hometown Discoveries Dec 13

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

November Results

Thank you so much for voting for the funniest photo for November. The winning team was Michael and Jose. They will be able to participate in December's Hometown Discoveries for free!

Here is the winning funny photo:










Congratulations to Natnael and Marques for taking home the cash prize of $30 dollars each. Scroll down to see the official standings of all teams.

1st place
Marques and Natnael with 840 points

2nd place
Emani and Sydney with 595 points

3rd place
Meheret and Sydney with 515 points

4th place
Chidinma and Rose with 387 points

5th place
Michael and Jose with 253 points

6th place
Asha and Ariel with 100 points

Here's what we learned!
HD Nov Results

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

The Next edition of Hometown Discoveries will be December13th! We look forward to seeing you join the fun.

Geography Awareness Scavenger Hunt Answers

Here are the answers to each clue from the November 15th edition of Hometown Discoveries!

Clue #1 Top of the World
Head to "Our Universe" section of the American Indian Museum and find:
Nazario Turpo Condori
He is a paqu (spiritual leader) who lives near the apu (tallest mountain) and speaks Quechua.

Get a close up photo of one of you pointing to Nazario Turpo Condori and one of you pointing to his country on the Geography Action Map.












Geography Action Video #1!
What stretches from Venezuela
to Chile and what is so special
about it? Start with “Check it out…”

Clue #2 Devastating Settlement
Head to “Our Peoples” section of the American Indian Museum and find the area of Invasions.

Where did Smallpox attack in 1493 besides Hispaniola?
(read the Geography Action map for help)

Get a close up photo of one of you pointing to these 4 places on the Geography Action Map and one of you standing in front of these RED places in the museum.









Clue #3 “Very Adaptable People”
Head to the “Our Lives” section of the American Indian Museum and solve this clue:

My front feet are skis but my back feet a tank.
I’m heavy on land and on water some sank.
My name is like a weapon yet I help get food.
People speak English and French so as not to be rude.
I use a drill to look undersea.
With temperatures like this you’d surely flee.
What on Earth could I be?

Get a photo of both of you standing in front of the answer to this riddle and pointing to the country where it is from on your Geography Action Map.









Clue #4 Skillful Weavers
Head to the Resource Center of the American Indian
Museum and find Juanita on the wall.

How long does it take her to weave a shirt?
Get a photo of one of you pointing to an
example of one of her shirts and holding up the
number of months it takes her to weave it with your
fingers.

Next, get a close up photo of one of you pointing to
the country where she comes from on the
Geography Action Map.











Video Bonus!
Find the map in the resource center that
has all the American Indian Lands in the
United States. Shoot a video in which
you show the three closest Indian
Lands to DC on this map.


Clue # 5 Funky Wood
Find a boat on the first floor of the American Indian
Museum that is made of the following types of wood:

koa wood
hau wood
wili-wili wood

Get a photo of both of you in front of this boat acting like you are riding in it….Remember that you should be thinking about funny photos!









Geography Action Video #2!
That boat you were just riding in clue #5 is used on the same ocean as the longest living animal on Earth. Shoot a short video in which you explain what this animal is and where it lives.
Start with “You’ll never believe this…”



Clue #6 Some Big Art
Head to the EAST Building of the National Gallery of Art.

Ask to see the biggest piece of artwork in the entire building.
The sculptor: Alexander Calder was born in a state…
East of Ohio
West of New Jersey
South of New York
Get a photo of one of you pointing to this state and to his giant piece of art.










Clue # 7 Brush Paintings
Head to the EAST Building of the National Gallery of Art and find the artist with this mixed up name:
Deb Regrets Urge Hoofs
Unscramble his name and head to his solo exhibit. Read about his life and find out which two states where he did most of his painting. Head to the gift shop and get a photo of one of you pointing to the two states on the Geography Action Map standing in front of The Silence Broken.










Clue #8 Rosy Pines
Head to the US Botanic Garden and go upstairs in the Jungle room.

You need to find the Porphyrocoma pohliana plant. Look carefully; there is also a clue in the title of this clue.

Get a photo of one of you pointing to the plant as well as the country it is from on the Geography Action Map.














Video Bonus: Head to the Plant adaptations area and find the mimosa pudica which is from the same country. Shoot a video of one of you touching the leaves and explaining what is happening.


Geography Action Video#3!
What is the longest river in the
Americas and why is it so
important?


Clue #9 Those Fries aren’t so French!
Head to the US Botanic Garden and search out a room that highlights botanical expeditions.

Did you know that you eat the Solanum tuberosum
on a fairly regular basis? But where did it come
from?

Find the sign that is entitled “Well Traveled Plants” and
locate the origin of Solanum tuberosum.

Now get a photo of one of you pointing to this country on
your Geography Action Map while also showing the
photograph of this plant on the “Well Traveled Plants” sign.










Clue #10 Fossilized Movie Treats
Head to the US Botanic Garden look at the murals in the
main hall.

Find the THIRD most important staple (food) crop. It’s
something you eat pretty regularly.

It was domesticated in the highlands of a country over
6,000 years ago. Where did this happen?

Get a photo of both of you pointing to this country on your Geography Action Map in front of this mural…make sure
we can clearly see the country and the plant or food in the background.









Geography Action Video#4!
What is so special about the capital city
of the country in clue #10?
Give us three facts to WOW us!

Geography Awareness Scavenger Hunt Clue Sheet

Hometown Discoveries is back again and today we went to the National Museum of the American Indian to start our scavenger hunt. Here is the hard copy of our clues. Print it out and give it a try yourself!
Hometown November 08

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

October 2008 Results!

Here are the official results of "Latin at the Zoo" Hometown Discoveries on October 11th 2008.

Natnael and Kimon took home the grand prize of $100 by earning a total of 675 points. Congratulations guys!

Here is the winning funny photo:

Rose, Sydney and Emani will compete next month for FREE!

Check out all the results and what we learned below!

Grand Prize Champions
Natnael & Kimon..............675 points

Tie for Second Place
Michael & DaQuan........... 450 points
Rose, Emoni, & Sydney......450 points

Third Place
Ashley & Ashley................ 400 points

Tie for Fourth Place
Asha & Dashawn............... 375 points
Imani & Tshala................. 375 points

Fifth Place
Annaya & Mercedes.......... 350 points

Sixth Place
Jose & Terrell................... 275 points

Tie for Seventh Place
Jaida & Crystian............... 200 points
Evelyn & Chidnma............ 200 points

Eighth Place
Ariel & Matthew................ 125 points

Check out our Pre- and Post- Data!

Hometown Discoveries is a Latin Success for Web - Upload a Document to Scribd

Latin at the Zoo - Answers

Here are the photo and video answers to all clues.

Clue #1
Head to the Red Barn and find out what animal is the
Bovidae capra. Here’s some help…
1) More people drink the milk of the Bovidae capra than any other animal in the world.
2) The Bovidae family includes gazelles and water buffaloes
3) The child of a Bovidae capra is called a “kid.”
Get a photo of both of you petting a Bovidae capra!








Clue #2
Head to Amazonia and find the Podocnemis unifilis underwater.

Shoot a quick video in which one of you acts like the Nutty Professor and explains how this animal helps to prove an interesting scientific theory!!!!! YOU MUST point to this animal somehow…either the real animal or a picture of it.


Clue #3
Head up the Valley Trail from Amazonia to find two animals that are very similar but in danger…

Can you tell the difference between Zalophus californianus and Halichoerus grypus? Well you better find out soon or they’ll be gone.
There is something we use everyday that is hurting them.

Shoot a video in which you both act like these two animals. You must explain the difference between the two of you and explain what is endangering you. Include either the animal in the background or the dangerous object…Remember I want to see you act like these animals!! Have fun.



Clue #4
Head to the Reptile Discovery Center and try to solve this dilemma…

In Greek Rhombus means spinning top
In Latin Rhomb means magician’s circle
In the Reptile House what does rhombifer mean?
Snap a photo of both of you in front of this animal…if it is not near the glass - take a photo in front of its sign!








Clue #5
Head to the Small Mammal House to solve this riddle…

If Leo = lion and pithecus = ape
What would a Leontopithecus look like?

Snap a photo of both of you in front of this half and half being!







Clue # 6
You’ll have to hoof it along Olmstead Walk!

What Latin name does Przewalski’s animal and the Zebra have in common?

Shoot a short video in which one of you is pointing to this Latin word and acting like a scientist hypothesizing what this Latin word means. Hint: What makes these animals similar?


Clue #7
Head to the building where you would find Elephas maximus …What? You don’t know Latin? Take a guess as to what this animal would be.

Now that you are in this house I need you to find the animal that connects to this riddle.

Longest River Frog

It’s not easy but combine the English and Latin names to figure this out!

Snap a photo of both of you in front of this animal (or a picture of this animal)








Clue #8
How did the Panda get its name? Find out inside their den.

Shoot a short video in which one of you explains what the Panda’s name means. Try to get a panda in the background as you shoot this. Check your facts…it must be correct!



Clue #9
Velociraptor was a meat eating dinosaur with a vicious claw that it used to kill its prey
Raptor comes from the Latin word rapere which means “to grab or seize”. All Raptors are able to grab you with their claws!!!!!!!

I want you now to find the largest raptor here at the zoo…and sit on it!

You’ll recognize it as an Aquila but it is still a part of the raptor family. Find this statue that was given to the zoo from the Pennsylvania Railroad outside of the Bird House.

Snap a photo of both of you sitting on this statue…but be careful it is a raptor!!!








Clue #10
Is it a Sloth or is it a Bear? Which is it?

Find this tricky creature along the Asia Trail and the key to figuring out if this animal is a sloth or a bear would be the Latin name:
ursinus or ursus.

Do you know it already?
Well if you don’t you will have to go to the “Mistaken Identity” wall and read to find out what it is. Once you figure it out, you’ll also know what Ursinus means.

BREAKING NEWS: Shoot video in which you act like a news reporter and explain three things while next to the statue of the Sloth Bear.
1) Is it a sloth or is it a bear? Use the word ursinus in your
explanation.
2) Explain why so many scientific names are in Latin.
3) Explain who Carl Linnaeus was.