Current Events

Japanese Scientist Builds Robots That Look Eerily Human

What are androids?
Androids are robots that act like humans and look like humans.

Name the three robots Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has created for the 'Android: What is Human' exhibition?
The team of robots being exhibited including females - the adult Otonaroid (Otano means adult in Japanese) and the juvenile Kodomoroid (Kodomo means child in Japanese) as well as a tiny cuddly infant-like robot called Telenoid.

What are their respective roles?

All three have a specific purpose. The Otonaroid will act as the museum's robot science communicator for the exhibition. Her duties include having one-on-one conversations with visitors. Kodomoroid who is being touted as the world's first robo newscaster can skillfully tell us the latest news gathered from around the world via an internet feed. The young girl can also speak several languages in a variety of tones ranging from a girly squeal to a deep male voice. Telenoid was built to behave like a child, he resembles a cuddly baby that visitors can pick up for a quick hug and even have a conversation with.

Why are androids more difficult to build then normal robots?
Because they talk, blink and look like humans.

Current Events

Video Of The Week - British Competition Honors Naughty Pets

Why did Direct Blinds ask people to post pet pictures on their Facebook page?

The contest, organized by Direct Blinds an online supplier of custom window coverings, asked owners to upload photos of their pets caught performing their naughtiest deeds, on the company's Facebook page.

What title did Yodie win?

While the mess took weeks to clean up, it is also the reason the naughty dog earned himself the title of Britain's Naughtiest Pet

What did he do to deserve it?

Yodie decided to attack every cushion he could put his paws on and distribute the shreds all over the house.

What are the 2nd and 3rd place winners known to do frequently?
In second place was another dog called Harry, whose favorite hobby is to shrednewspapers and magazines. The funniest and most talented however was Stoops, a black cat who came in third place - She apparently loves to open the fridge and hop in to lick the tops of the cold milk bottles.

Te Reo Maori

RUA

Leisure Island - Moturiki Island

Peach Island - Motuopae Island

Rat Island - Motuopuhi Island

Mayor Island - Tūhua Island

These islands are well known to locals but to Maori of Tauranga these island have their own respective Maori names. Find out these names.

Te Reo Maori

RIMA 

The Story of Ranginui and Papatuanuku

1. Who is Ranginui and Papatuanuku?
Ranginui is the sky father and Papatuanuku is the Earth Mother.

2. Who is the god of the forests?
Tane-mahuta.

3. Who is the god of the winds?
Tawhirimatea.

4. Who is the god of war?
Tumatauenga.

5. Who is the god of the sea?
Tangaroa.

Current Events Reading

Joey Chestnut Wins Hot Dog Eating Contest 

For Eight Consecutive Year!

Who was responsible for making Nathan's hot dog contest famous?

The contest which is now streamed live on the ESPN channel, has become a July 4th tradition - one that is watched by millions of people every year.


How many hot dogs did he eat?
Joey Chestnut 61 franks in the allotted ten minutes.


How many years has Joey Chestnut won the contest prior to this year?
Joey Chestnut has dominated this competition for the last seven years.


What significant event occurred before the contest began?
Joey Chestnut proposes to his girlfriend before Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

What happened in the women's contest?

Three-time defending women's champion Sonya Thomas did not fares well. She was defeated by Miki Sudo from Las Vegas, who inhaled 34 frankfurters, far outpacing Sonya's 27.

Bali Inquiry

1. These little parcels are left outside everyday. You see them everywhere. What are they for?

Canang sari is one of the daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus to thank the Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in praise and prayer. Canang sari will be seen in the Balinese temples (pura), on small shrines in houses, and on the ground or as a part of a larger offering.

2. It was the first day back at school when we arrived. These kids meet their teachers at the beach. They were about your age. Find out about school in Bali

Most schools in bali start at 9am-11am they finish vary from 1pm-4pm. They go to school 6 days a week Monday-Saturday but in New Zealand we go to school 5 days a week Monday-Friday.

3. They have tanks of these fish everywhere. You pay $3 to soak your feet in them for 15 mins. The fish nibble at your feet. Find out what type of fish they are and what they are doing?

Garra rufa fish are a tiny, toothless carp native to Turkey, Syria, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East. Also known as 'doctor fish', they thrive in the hot springs of Kangal, Turkey, where they suck and nibble away at the dead-skin cells of tourists and health pilgrims.

 

4. This was taken at a batik factory. What is batik?

Batik is the Traditional Fabric of Indonesia, The word batik is thought to be derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. The suffix 'tik' means little dot, drop, point or to make dots. Traditional colours for batik were beige, blue, brown and black.

5. This is the Saraswati Temple in Ubud. Who is it dedicated to?

Saraswati temple Kingdom of Ubud is dedicated to honor the Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and art.

My reflection to term 2

Current Events Reading

Caveman poo suggests they may have eaten vegetables

SC:

- Use at least 3 of the 7 servants
- Questions must make sense
- Question MUST have a question mark.

How many years ago were there caveman? 50,000

Where did they live? Southern Spain

What did all the samples contain? Traces of meat

What else did the eat besides meat and veggies? Plants, such as tubers, berries, and nuts. 

Who is from the University of La Laguna in Spain? Anaira Sistiaga

What kind of teeth were microfossils trapped in? Neanderthal teeth

Neanderthals were close evolutionary cousins of what? Homo sapiens