Build Your Own Planet

What is a simply DIY craft project that you and your space-crazed kid can complete together? Try making this easy, mess-free solar system to hang in your Blaster’s room!

Materials

The materials you need to complete this galactic task are as follow:

  • Color paper
  • Scissors
  • Compass or several circular objects (mugs, bowls, plates, etc.)
  • Pencil
  • Fishing line
  • Stapler
  • Glue
  • Star-shaped stickers (optional)

StackedStapledFishing Line

Steps:

  1. To create our hometown, Earth, you will need blue, green, brown, and white colored paper.
  2. To be precise, you can set your compass’ width to be 7 cm, which means the diameter of your circles will be 14 cm in total. Or you can use a large mug instead, and trace the outline onto the colored paper by using your pencil.
  3. Using your scissors, cut out the circles. Then, fold them in half.
  4. As shown in the image, stack the paper and staple across the crease that you just folded to keep the paper intact
  5. Then, fold the paper backwards to create a 3-dimensional shape.
  6. Tie the fishing line around the center seem.
  7. Tie a knot and your Earth is completed!
  8. Optional: You can purchase star-shaped stickers and use it as a label for the planet and to cover up the knot you tied in step 7.
  9. Repeat steps 1 to 8 to create Saturn, but this time, use orange, yellow, brown, and white colored paper instead, and set your compass’ width to 10 cm, or find a bigger circular object.
  10. To create the ring, simply create two circles in white and brown respectively that are just a tiny bit smaller than the ones you did to create the spherical shape of Saturn.
  11. Glue them together by slightly overlapping them, and slide it over the 3D Saturn.
  12. Repeat steps 1 to 8 to create the other planets, but make sure you alter the measurement of your compass slightly to show the scale between the different planets.

Complete

Note:

  • The more circles you cut out, the more detailed your planets will look, but it will also be harder to staple all the paper together.
  • Assist your kid when using the compass – the sharp tip can be hazardous.

Strength in Numbers: Join A Crew!

In Math and the business of Intergalactic space patrolling, there is no denying that there is strength found in numbers. That little fact is exactly why Max and the team have recently implemented a new Crews feature to the Space Station! Crews are a relatively new concept so if you still need some help understanding what this means for your Blaster, here’s a quick guide to joining, creating, or searching through our growing number of Blaster Crews.

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To access any one of our new crew features, locate the “Crews” icon at the top of your gaming window. It is the red button, marked with the golden badge. There, you will find a whole menu of options to get you started, so that you can team up with some of your fellow Blasters to make the most of your mat skills and knowledge!

Learn more about Crews Here!

Worksheet of the Week

More or Less – 1 - Math Worksheet for 1st Graders

The Engulfing Power of Underwater Waves

We know that your Blaster likes to explore the galaxy and accomplish great dreams, but it is a great idea to encourage them to learn about the mechanics of their home, Earth, starting by learning the basics of Oceanography.

Recently, researchers found that the origins of the giant underwater waves that essentially has no effect on the surface of the ocean has an immense effect on the Earth’s climate and the marine ecosystem.

Photo by neekok.fi

Photo by neekok.fi

These internal waves resembles the shape of the towering waves we can see on the surface, and due to the temperature and density differences between the waves and the water around it, create a boundary between the bodies of water that produces changes to the ocean’s natural behavior.

As it is very difficult to detect these underwater waves, the new evidence found is profoundly important to help investigate this phenomenon further. The latest testing occurred at the South China Sea, and researchers found that the internal waves found here are the most powerful thus far, describing it as “skyscraper-scale waves”.

Discovering the origin of these waves can potentially reveal its possibility as the key mechanism for transferring heat from the upper part of the ocean to its depths. Therefore, it is important for the researchers to find out how these great waves are generated and perhaps shed some light on the research on global warming.

Mastering Toolbar Basics

The Math Blaster Intergalactic Space Station is full of adventure and discovery. With all the places to explore and games to play it is pretty common for even the most skilled of Blasters to need a helping hand in navigating the game from time to time. That is where the toolbar comes in handy! From customizing your Blaster and unlocking achievements to making new friends and discovering new challenges, the toolbar is your go-to gizmo for all those galactic missions. Here is everything you need to know about the toolbar to get you started on your journey as a Math Blaster Cadet!

MBToolbarLocation

Your Math Blaster toolbar is located on the bottom of your screen. You can hover over the icons to find out what they do.

Starting with the B-pad on the far right of the toolbar. This is where you will be able to view your Messages, Game Options, Rank, Achievements, Star Status and Hunts.

MBBPadOptions Learn more about your Blaster’s toolbar!

Worksheet of the Week

Great and Common – GCF Worksheet for Kids - Math Blaster

New Ability Discovered in Dogs

Did you know that men’s best friend has capabilities beyond affectionate licking and compulsive tackling of their owners? New research has shown that dogs are able to sense the irregular and tiny changes in Earth’s magnetic field, indicating that they prefer a body-alignment along the magnetic north-south axis.

Photo by Tom Godber

Photo by Tom Godber

Although there doesn’t seem to be a prominent usage for this kind of orientation ability, this new discovery does help to explain why most dogs are good at navigation, meaning they excel at recognizing and remembering routes. Research revolving the magnetic sensibility of animals is limited. Therefore, this new piece of evidence does shed light on future projects.

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