Clue #2 About Episode #3

Here's a two-part photo clue about what's in store with the 3rd episode of City Science Kids!

Any ideas what these might be?

They're responsible for making these holes. In wood. In the wood of  a ship.

Here Comes A Clue!

What was City Science Kids doing down at the South Street Seaport? Hint: it does have something to do with a ship...although it's probably not what you're thinking!

Stay tuned as we bring you more clues, and Episode #3!

Christmas Tree Science!

Ever wonder how Christmas trees stay green for so long? Learn a few facts in this mini-episode, guest-narrated by cousin Nuala.

On the Lookout for Shooting Stars

As we get ready for Episode #3, we thought we'd present you with a few seasonal mini-episodes.

Mid-December is the time for a sky event called the Geminid Meteor Shower. Meteor showers happen when space dust and bits of rock enter the Earth's atmosphere. They are named for nearest bright star or constellation (group of stars) in which they appear: in this case, the constellation Gemini. This year, the Geminids will peak on December 13 and 14, with possibly hundreds of meteors an hour lighting up the sky.  If we're lucky, and the sky is dark enough wherever we happen to be, we can see these meteors—also known as shooting stars—because they catch on fire as they enter our atmosphere, streaking across the night sky. Of course, the sky is never truly dark in the city, because of all the lights on buildings and along highways. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to spot shooting stars!

The above video shows what the Geminids looked like last year, northeast of the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It was shot by our friend Robert Cobain of Meteor Logbook. How many meteors can you count?

If you manage to see any shooting stars this week, write in and tell us about them!

Presenting: Episode #2!

In mid-November, City Science Kids visited the Brooklyn Brine pickle factory in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.  We learned about the science of pickle-making (did you guess that was the theme of the episode?). Have a look at the video to learn all about pickle-making, too! And be sure to visit our friend Shamus, at his factory and online.

Pickle-making has a long history, world-wide and in New York City, where pickles were originally introduced by Dutch immigrants. Here are two photos from the New York Public Library archives of pickle vendors on Orchard Street in Manhattan, from about 1934. The Lower East Side "pickle district" once was home to about 80 pickle merchants!

Be sure to write in and tell us what YOU know about pickles. Does someone in your family make pickles? Do you have a favorite kind? Let us know!



Videography by Amy Sirot

The Final Clue!

Here's one last clue for all you City Science buffs. Have you guessed the theme of Episode #2 yet? Take a good, hard squint at what's in the big bin pictured below...

Here's...

...Clue #3! Don't be shy, take a guess – what's the theme of the second episode? Remember to go back and look at all the visual clues, and to think about what rhymes with last week's clue word. (You'll find the answer to that at the bottom of this post. Don't look unless you're absolutely, positively, 100% sure you want to give up!!) Keep your eyes peeled for one more clue, and also Episode #2, coming right after the holiday!! Happy Turkey, everybody!

What could these possibly be???

(The answer to last week's word clue is: nickels. Sshhhh....)