Why is it so much fun to sled on snow? Why can't we use our sleds when there is no snow? Here is a basic explanation of why sledding works and is so much fun! Here is an interesting article about how to speed up your sled, but remember to be careful out there! Someone else was wondering too...here is a cool list of questions to ponder.

On a recent trip, I learned about the Pikeville Cut-Through Project. Deemed an astonishing engineering wonder that has been called “the eighth wonder of the world” by The New York Times- I must say I was impressed! They rerouted an entire branch of a river and reclaimed it for roads. Wow! Read more here.

What's happening on my sidewalk?! Who lives here? I'm thinking that this might be what's going on!

On a trip in Orlando, Florida, I looked out the airplane window and saw the shadow of our airplane in the clouds. It was encircled by a rainbow. I wondered what was causing this. I had never seen anything like this before.

This little yellow bird was living in Animal Kingdom in Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The bird was gathering pieces of grass and taking them back to create a ring among the tree branches. The bird was threading the grass back and forth, almost sewing its nest. I had never seen such behavior and couldn't believe that this bird was capable of "sewing" in the tree. I wondered if there were other birds that did this and if the "sewing" helped the nest be stronger. Why would a bird want this type of nest?

My students always bring me fun surprises. One family of three girls brought me these three jaw bones. Immediately I asked where they had been found and then, of course, I wanted to figure out what kind of animal they came from. I began looking carefully at the jaws for clues...looking at the back teeth and the big space in the jaw with no teeth. I was determined to figure out what this mystery animal was.

The kids and I are always finding these little brown shells on trees in our neighborhood. In fact, one day we decided to make some funny photos with a plastic frog chowing down on one. The other day, however, we actually saw something emerging from one of the shells- a newly formed cicada!

These eggs have been showing up everywhere around our house, including on the back of my car. I don't know what they are. Do you? I think it is a type of insect.

These little black and orange bugs have been all over my neighbor's plants. I think they are going to pupate and go through a big change. Do you know what they are going to become?

On our recent trip to Chicago, we passed through fields and fields of these big machines. Do you know what they are? What function are they serving? Why so many in this area of the country? Click here for a hint.