Fire up those brain waves with the Exploratorium’s Optical Illusions, exploratorium.edu/explore/staff_picks/optical_illusions. Certain patterns and pictures have the ability to alter your perception and confuse your brain. Join the fun and choose from Staff Picks such as Changing Illusions, five patterns that trick your eyes into seeing different sizes. Now stare at the Depth Spinner and see if the wall seems to be moving. The Temple Illusion is a perspective challenge – study the picture and figure it out. Squirming Palm makes your own hand play tricks on you.

Take the Be the Beat Challenge, bethebeat.heart.
org, and learn to save a life. Did you know that if a person over the age of 8 collapses, Hands-Only CPR can save their life? Watch the video and you'll know which steps to take if a friend needs your help. Now Take the Hearttrek, a 3-D adventure that shows what happens to the heart during cardiac arrest. Try to make the right decisions to save Paul's life! One hundred beats per minute is more challenging than you might think. Earn points for mastering the rhythm when you play games at Learn & Play.

The Body Explained, bioedonline.org/
body-explained, is a collection of entertaining videos starring anatomy expert Professor Cassius Bordelon of the Baylor College of Medicine. Find answers to common questions about how your body works. For example, what makes our teeth chatter when we get cold? Watch the video to discover the "chilling" facts! There are all kinds of ways to get rid of hiccups, but have you ever thought about what causes them? That mystery is explained, as well as the link between Mary Poppins and the surefire cure for hiccups.

The Children's University of Manchester, www.childrensuniversity.
manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/brainandsenses, is an interactive learning adventure with games, animated videos and quizzes. The Brain controls everything your body does. Which part of your brain controls your personality? See if you can label the different parts in the Quiz. The Smell and Taste test will keep you guessing as you drag foods to the right places to see which part of the tongue enjoys a salty snack. Before your brain is full from all that information, do a word search and find the matching pairs.

Wondermind, wondermind.tate.org.uk, is an adventure in a real-life wonderland: your own brain! Take a bite of a magical cake in the forest and see how many times you can catch the white rabbit before Alice's time runs out. The Hedge Maze provides a challenge as you try to shine a light on the Cheshire Cat by adjusting mirrors before he vanishes. Stop for a spot of tea at the Tea Party, and do your best to help the Hatter fill every cup. The Garden will have you searching for pairs of guilty cards, but watch out! You are being tested on your speed.

Kitten Hop

Kids Helping Animals
Being a hero isn’t just about helping people. You can be a hero to animals in your community at PAWS.

What’s your favorite summer activity? Why?
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