Articles for Grade 8

Illinois tween Jonny Cohen was just twelve years old when he came up with a revolutionary idea that would make clunky yellow school buses more energy efficient - Helping not only school districts save money, but also, the environment. Now five years later, the senior at Highland Park High School is finally seeing his dream realized....

After hosting a spectacular 'warm-up' Olympics, Londoners are now ready for the real event - the 2012 Summer Paralympics! The 11-day competition which begins tonight and will continue until September 9th, 2012, enables athletes with disabilities ranging from mobility to blindness and even cerebral palsy, to showcase their athletic prowess in an international arena....

On Saturday August 25th, 43 years after he made history by becoming the first person to step on the moon, NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong passed away from complications attributed to a heart surgery he underwent earlier this month. Given the fact that the Cincinnati resident had been reported to be doing well following the procedure, the news came as a big shock to his millions of worldwide fans....

On Sunday, August 5th, 2012, at about 10.31pm PST (1.31pm EST), the world will experience what NASA scientists are calling 'The Seven Minutes Of Terror' - The successful landing of the 2,000 pound Mars Science Laboratory AKA Curiosity on the surface of the Red Planet....

Though 25% of the world's population may not have access to electricity, they all have access to a source of energy that is currently being wasted - Kinetic energy released by their bodies when they exert themselves. Now two Harvard alums have figured out how to capture this energy and convert it into electricity - The only equipment needed? A Soccket soccer ball and the desire to have some fun!...

Every four years, a new breed of determined youngsters make their way to the world's most competitive arena with one dream in mind - To compete against the world's best athletes and make their country proud by bringing home the Olympic gold medal. This year is no different. On the eve of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, here are a few of the many youngsters you will be cheering on starting tomorrow, and for many years to come....

When the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, it seems to generate an irrational fear in some people. While during most years the two coincide once or at the most twice, this year we have had the misfortune of having three of them. First on January 13th, then April 13th and the Grande Finale, which happens to be today, Friday July 13th! Another odd coincidence this year is the trio are exactly 13 weeks apart - Something that hasn't happened, since 1984....

Tokyo's International Toy Show is always awaited with great anticipation because the toys unveiled at this annual event are usually the most technologically advanced. This year was no exception. During the three-day extravaganza that took place from June 14-June 17th, 141 Japanese companies unveiled over 35,000 new products that ranged from old-fashioned puzzles to smart pets and even, a three-seater car. Here, is a small sample of what you can expect at your toy stores in the near future....

Mention Space cuisine and images of freeze dried pre-packaged bland food come to mind. However, astronauts for most part don't seem to care - They have more exciting things to ponder over, than what's on the menu. But if scientists are planning to go on excursions to Mars and beyond, this shrink-wrapped cuisine will not be the ideal solution and, it has nothing to do with taste....