Tabla de contenidos para Issue 351 - November 2024 en MiniMag

This month, we’re setting sail on an incredible adventure into the heart of the ocean. From the immense power of the sea to the dangers of tsunamis, we explore the forces that shape our world. You’ll learn about ancient seafarers who braved the wild waters, and discover the importance of sustainable fishing as we celebrate World Fisheries Day. Ever wondered how maths is used to navigate the seas? We’ll show you how numbers guide sailors safely across vast oceans! Don’t miss the upcoming movie “Rebellious”, a movie about courage, discovery and the strength to stand up for what’s right. And as we dive into the final pages of the year, we’re also looking ahead to Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, which is just around the corner. Exciting things…

Overfishing damages the balance of the entire ocean. To protect this ecosystem, we need to fish responsibly by leaving enough fish behind to keep the ocean healthy for the future. You can help preserve fisheries by choosing sustainably sourced seafood with labels like MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) that support eco-friendly fishing practices. Can you help find the correct path? Fishy Sudoku Can you complete each row by choosing the correct picture? Sharp vision Seals have excellent underwater vision, which is actually better than their eyesight in bright light on land. Their eyes are specially adapted with round lenses, similar to fish, and a large iris that opens fully when they are submerged. On land, the iris narrows the pupil to a tiny point, allowing the seal to see clearly through…

Canoe building and navigation were guild secrets – secret skills that were learnt only by a certain set of people with a high status in Polynesian society. Masters spent years training an apprentice the fine art of navigating between islands – often in the form of song. These expert sailors were guided by constellations in the stars at night. By day, they found their way around by observing the movement of ocean currents, wave patterns and ocean swells. They also took the wind, weather and certain cloud formations into account. Birds need land, so by following the direction in which they flew, sailors could find nearby islands.…

Tsunamis caused by earthquakes are often very violent and are capable of huge destruction to both human life and buildings. However, the level of destruction caused by tsunamis is often dictated by the size of the earthquake that triggered them and also the preparedness of the affected community in mitigating tsunamis. The tsunami is generally formed when two plates sliding horizontally past each other and one subducting beneath the other causes a shift or displacement. Subduction is a process created at the plate boundaries when two plates moving opposite one another causes one of the plates to slide beneath the other. As this downward slide continues the upper floating plate is inevitably shifted. Depending on how big this shift is, the crust of the sea floor is deformed resulting in…

Homonyms are tricky words that sound the same and are spelled the same but have different meanings. For example, “bark” could mean the sound a dog makes or the outer covering of a tree. These clever words can make you think twice about their meaning. In this crossword, we've hidden some homonyms for you to discover. Read both sentences and fill in the correct twin word. Then use the clue to complete the crossword! What are figures of speech? They are creative language tools that make our writing and speech more vivid and expressive! Figures of speech help make complex ideas easier to understand and add colour and flair to your writing. They can turn ordinary descriptions into something extraordinary! Shakespeare was a master of figures of speech, often using…

Hawaii, part of the Pacific Islands, was once home to over 50 species of colourful honeycreepers, a family of birds known for their varied beak shapes, adapted to different food sources. While many species are now endangered or extinct, they remain an iconic example of island evolution. Traditional Hawaiian totem poles, often called “Ki’i” or “Tiki” carvings, represent deities, ancestors and important spiritual symbols. These carvings were believed to connect the physical and spiritual worlds, offering protection and invoking blessings for the community.…

Get ready to dive into the world of Origami with this fun activity! Not only will you learn to fold a fish, but you’ll also explore the incredible importance of keeping our oceans healthy. With every fold, you’re connecting to the beauty and balance of marine life! Origami originated in Japan over 1 000 years ago, but today, it’s loved worldwide! Start with a square piece of paper for traditional origami; this will make folding easier. Origami involves precise movements and hand-eye coordination, helping to strengthen fine motor skills, particularly in children. Origami requires attention to detail and concentration to follow instructions accurately. This practice can improve overall focus in other tasks. In Japan, the paper crane is a symbol of peace, and it’s believed folding 1 000 cranes grants…

A factory filled with fun and laughter! Find all 15 hidden toys! World Children’s Day Join us this 20 November as we celebrate World Children’s Day! It’s a time to stand up for children’s rights, ensuring every child enjoys a life filled with love, attention and opportunities. This day reminds us that every child deserves more than just toys – they deserve respect, care and a voice. As we gear up for the festive season, imagine a joyful factory churning out toys, preparing for the holidays. But beyond the colourful presents and fun, there’s something much more valuable being crafted Ð a future where every child is heard, cherished and empowered. Children’s rights go far beyond play; they include the right to education, safety and a nurturing environment where they…

The heart of our blue planet, the ocean, is an ever-moving mass of water that covers two-thirds of the globe. The ocean provides us with most of the air that we breathe and keeps the climate habitable. It feeds us and gives us energy sources. The ocean hides away treasures like pearls and is home to the most amazing creatures. It offers something for everybody, from relaxing walks on the beach to adrenaline-pumping sports like surfing and sailing. Five oceans and several seas When you dip your toes into the sea, you are actually connected to all the seawater in the world. Although the ocean is one continuous mass of water, we divide it into five different parts, called oceans. The Pacific Ocean is the biggest and connects Asia and…

Somewhere between 3 000 and 4 000 years ago, Taiwan and the islands south of it became overpopulated. The crowded spaces made survival difficult, so a group of adventurous sailors set out with their families to find a better place to stay. They were masters of the sea, able to navigate the oceans without any equipment, not even a compass. Eventually, their descendants colonised a group of islands east of Australia, called Polynesia. With a rich culture and astonishing knowledge of ocean secrets, Polynesian society was far from primitive. The English word “tattoo” came from the mispronounced Samoan word “tatau.” Tattoos were imprinted with a type of comb made from bone and wood with multiple needles dipped in ink. The comb was hit with a second stick to pierce the…

Plate motion and types of earthquakes Earthquakes occur at the boundaries of the plates which are always in constant motion relative to one another. The plate boundaries also known as plate margins are mostly located around oceanic areas. The motion of the plates is responsible for continents drifting apart from each other and also for the formation of mountains, oceans and fault zones. The San Andreas Fault in California is the best known fault zone. Earthquakes caused by plate motion are classified as natural earthquakes and usually occur at great depths (greater than 50 km). However, earthquakes could also be caused by activities associated with mining or explosives. Earthquakes associated with mining or explosions are classified as man-made earthquakes and typically occur at shallow depths (less than 5 km). At…