Another Explainer Baby

Can you guess which Explainer Baby this is?

Email your guess to msmith@fi.edu
Prize for the first winning entry!

Calling Youth Reporters!

Concerned about violence in Philly? Here's your chance to change things with your pen....and possibly with a free laptop too!

Here's more from the contest sponsor:

The Pepsi Bottling Group is sponsoring a writing competition, in an attempt to hear and publicly voice the opinions of those most affected by the violence in Philadelphia, the young people.

The “Aquafina Youth Reporter Contest,” invites Philadelphia residents, between 16 and 25 years of age, to write a 500-word essay on “What causes youth violence and how can we stop it?” The contest is designed to raise awareness about violence in the community – and spark discussion about possible solutions.

Two winning essays, one by a male and one by a female, will earn the opportunity to serve over a two-month period, as an “Aquafina Youth Reporter” in The Philadelphia Tribune, where their winning essays, as well as one additional column on a subject of their choice, will be published in the newspaper from late October through December. Each winning contestant will also receive a laptop computer – to encourage them to keep writing.

Find out more about the contest, and entry rules by clicking on the photo above.

Rover, Rover

21 months and counting......that's how long the Mars Rover have been exploring the surface of Mars and sending back amazing photos. The Rover project has been so successful that NASA is already thinking of what the next rovers will look like.

Learn more about NASA's new ROVERS here.....and learn more about NASA's current rovers on your free time at the museum's IMAX.

AIDS WALK 06

This past Sunday, I participated in the AIDS WALK with my school The walk began at 9:00, but I arrived late and didn't get to walk with all the people from my school and there wasn't a huge crowd as it usually would be when the walk starts. However, there was a good number of people walking, skating, or riding their bike. I walked with my friend from school and the two of us had so much fun!

Most of the time we walked we talked, joked, and sung along to the music we were listening to which really got us more pumped to walk. We also stopped to take some pictures by this cute little waterfall where a stream of water fell on the rock. We walked the whole 8.4 miles and when it was over our legs were worn out!

Just before we got around to the finish point I pulled a muscle in my right leg… but I still finished with a smile on my face and been limping ever since. The walk was really fun and I just hope next year, since I won't be able to walk with my school, that the most of the people in PACTS, if not all, will do the walk together.

POSTED BY EXPLAINER JACQUELYN HILL

Stopping the Violence

With the number of murders in Philadelphia now over 300, everyone is concerned about the level of violence in the city. Most at risk are teens our age.....on Columbus Day, we attended a rally hosted by the School District of Philadelphia. Also in attendance were other local school & student groups, who listened to addresses from FOX 29's Dave Huddleston and School Superintendent Paul Vallas. Hopefully, this march will be one of the inspiring events that will help to turn the tide of violence in our city.

Here are some photos Explainer Jacqueline Hill captured:

Our man in IT

Editors' note: Explainer Mario Leone is currently spending his school work-study hours with an internship in the museum's Information Technology department. Here he shares his initial impressions of the experience.


IT has been fun, my internship has been going on for about 3 months now, andI'm starting to get into the swing of things. I am so lucky to have thisinternship, it's a fun job, and it's at a great institution. It's nice towork in a place as fun as TFI. I am working with user support, so if there are any computer problems around, you'll probably see me!


POSTED BY EXPLAINER MARIO LEONE

Quick Snap!

Some brotherly love....and a push by the staff!