Romy News - November 08, 2024

Hi there! How are you today? I’m Romy, and I’m super excited to be with you. Today is Friday, which means it’s time to discover lots of cool things together!

First, we’re going to talk about a big adventure on the high seas that starts this weekend, called the Vendée Globe. Then, we’ll explore a mysterious question: “What is radioactivity?” Don’t worry, I’ll explain it in a way that’s easy to understand. And finally, we’ll learn about a bit of history with “The Paris Commune”. Sounds cool, right?

So, are you ready? Let’s go!

So, let’s talk about the Vendée Globe! It’s an amazing sailing competition that starts this weekend. Today, I’ll tell you the story of this race, why it’s so important, and what makes this edition special.

The Vendée Globe is an adventure where sailors travel around the world alone, without stopping or getting help. They sail on big boats that are 18 meters long, called monohulls. During their journey, they have to pass through three famous places: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn. This race has been happening since 1989, and the first person to win it was a man named Titouan Lamazou.

This race is a huge human adventure. The sailors face difficult conditions, like big waves and strong winds. They also see changes in nature, especially near Antarctica. The Vendée Globe also helps raise awareness about protecting our oceans. Some sailors even bring lucky charms with them to feel safer during their journey.

Since October 19th, a special village has been open for the Vendée Globe, with lots of activities for the whole family. 40 sailors are getting ready for the big departure on November 10th. And to help the planet, the village encourages people to come using eco-friendly transportation.

Why don’t you draw your dream boat for a trip around the world? You could also talk to your parents or teachers about how we can all help protect our oceans. Don’t forget to follow the race and cheer on the sailors in their big adventure!

After talking about the Vendée Globe, let’s move on to a super interesting question from Léo: what is radioactivity? Radioactivity is a natural phenomenon that happens all around us. I’ll explain what it is, how it was discovered, and why it’s important for us.

Radioactivity is when certain elements, like uranium, release tiny particles or energy on their own. It’s like they have a little firework inside them! There are three main types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. Each behaves differently. Fun fact: bananas contain a little potassium-40, which is naturally radioactive, but don’t worry, they’re perfectly safe to eat!

Radioactivity was discovered in 1896 by a man named Henri Becquerel. He noticed that some uranium salts were emitting radiation. Then, a very famous scientist, Marie Curie, studied radioactivity and discovered two new elements: polonium and radium. Her husband, Pierre Curie, worked with her to understand these elements. Fun fact: Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and she won two!

Radioactivity is super important. It’s used in medicine to treat diseases like cancer, thanks to radiation therapy. It’s also used to produce nuclear energy, which provides electricity to many homes. And it helps scientists date very old objects, using a method called carbon-14 dating. Did you know that even smoke detectors at home use a little radioactive material to work?

I suggest you discuss with your parents or teachers about everyday objects that use radioactivity. And why not learn more about Marie Curie and her discoveries? It’s a great way to understand her impact on science!

After discovering radioactivity, let’s dive into another fascinating moment in history, with our theme of the day: historical events or remarkable figures. Today, I’ll tell you about the Paris Commune, a unique moment in French history where Parisians tried to create a more just and equal society. We’ll see where it came from, what happened, and why it’s important today.

The origins of the Commune go back to a difficult time for Paris. After France lost a war against Prussia in 1870, the city was in crisis, with many social and economic problems. On March 18, 1871, the Parisians rebelled against the French government, and that’s how the Commune began. Women played a super important role during this period, organizing clubs to discuss politics and fighting for their rights. A famous woman from this time is Louise Michel, a dedicated teacher nicknamed the “Red Virgin”.

During the Commune, there were many remarkable events. The Communards implemented progressive reforms, like free education for all and the separation of Church and State. But not everything was easy. From May 21 to 28, 1871, during what’s called the “Bloody Week”, the French government took back Paris, leading to violent battles. The Communards built barricades in the streets to defend their city. And here’s an amazing anecdote: during the siege, an elephant from the Jardin des Plantes was killed to feed the starving Parisians.

The legacy of the Commune is very important. It inspired future social and political movements around the world, and it symbolizes the fight for social justice and equality. Every year, people gather in Paris to remember the Commune. It also influenced many literary and artistic works, which continue to talk about its ideals.

What do you think is needed to have a just society? Discuss it with your parents or a teacher. You could also create a poster illustrating one of the Commune’s ideals, like equality or freedom. It’s a great way to think about what’s important for us all!

And that’s it for today’s episode! I hope you learned lots of cool things. We discovered the Vendée Globe, an amazing adventure on the high seas, then we explored the mysterious world of radioactivity thanks to Léo’s question. Finally, we traveled back in time to understand the importance of the Paris Commune.

Don’t forget to draw your dream boat, discuss radioactivity with your family, and think about what a just society means to you. I can’t wait to be with you again for a new episode full of surprises and discoveries!

Thanks for listening. Have a super day, and see you soon! Bye for now!