Gravity

You’re probably familiar with the idea that gravity keeps things grounded on Earth. While that’s true, it’s far from the whole story. Gravity is actually the attraction between objects. That’s right. Everything — every single thing — exerts a gravitational pull. Your, your students, even the chair you may be sitting on. And this is just the start of eye-opening ideas kids will discover in this issue. Like how engineers have used gravity to get water to the eight million people of New York City or to hold back the water of the great Columbia River. Kids drawn to unusual facts will want to know where on Earth gravity is strongest and how gravity affects weather, the shape of stones, even the shape of our planet.

Kids also find out how gravity affects their height, their waistline, even their earlobes. Those interested in space exploration have a chance to dive deeply into the effects of gravity — or the lack of it — on the bodies of astronauts, including the fact that astronauts get taller in space and lose muscle mass. Future astronomers and meteorologists will want to explore the earth-moon connection. They may know that the moon’s gravity causes tides on Earth, but may be surprised to learn that it also affects Earth’s rainfall and rotation. Plus, interviews with a sculptor and a landscape designer may start kids thinking about the effect of gravity on art, gardens, and who knows what else.