Author: Lisa Mungovan

The Annals of Improbable Research held their 31st annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony. The Ecology Prize went to researchers studying bacteria species on discarded chewing gum. A study hypothesizing humans evolved beards, to protect themselves against face punches, won the Peace Prize. The Biology Prize winner, analyzed cats’ vocalizations, while communicating with humans.

The fat-tailed dunnart, sometimes called a marsupial mouse, is an Australian mammal related to the Tasmanian devil. The amazing creature is born at only 13 days old, before it even has bones! The gelatinous joey is the size of a grain of rice, as it crawls up to its mother’s pouch to continue developing.

20 years ago, terrorists attacked the United States, by crashing planes into buildings. 9 11 started years of war against those responsible, but also showed the heroism of those who died, trying to save others. They’re honored today, with Patriot Day, Day Of Service And Remembrance, Emergency Responders Day, and World First Aid Day.

The Studebaker Company started out, making buggies and wagons in 1852. They switched to cars after automobiles were invented, and stayed in business until 1966. Today is Drive Your Studebaker Day, so keep an eye out, for antique cars. Since it’s also Lacemaking Day, watch a demonstration of someone making lace. It looks confusing.

Today is Make Your Bed Day. If your room is a mess, a nicely-made bed can be an oasis of calm, in a sea of clutter. If you’re already making your bed every day, like you should be, challenge yourself to make it perfectly, so it looks like a hotel bed!

Maryland doesn’t normally have many wild zebras, but 3 zebras have been spotted in Prince George’s County over the last few days. Animal control officers were trying to capture the zebras, who likely escaped from a local farm. In the meantime, people enjoyed seeing zebras roaming through their neighborhood.

An inventor in Malawi, won an award from the Queen of England, by supplying free electricity to his village. Colrerd Nkosi used an old motor and a fast river, to create an electric turbine. It generates enough power for 1000 homes! He’s working on another turbine downstream, to expand electricity to even more homes.

When a fire alarm goes off at the International Space Station, does everyone have to evacuate? Luckily, the answer is no. The station’s smoke alarm went off Thursday morning, but the reason it was triggered is still unknown. Aztronauts will do a spacewalk later today, to make sure everything is functioning normally.

Today is Swap Ideas Day. Everyone think of a good idea, then trade! If you’re thinking of dinner ideas, remember it’s also TV Dinner Day. One person can pick the meal, and the other one can pick the show. Ask your grandparents, to tell you about Hungry Man Salisbury Steak dinners in foil trays.

Today is Alpaca Day. The furry mammal is a camelid, and looks like a llama. They are native to South America, and were raised by the Incas for their soft fleece, 6000 years ago. Alpacas will use a common dung heap, so some people keep them in the house! You can also take alpaca-yoga classes.