Tooth - Initiation

We just learned about the Dentinogenesis.

When teeth are first being developed in the gums by a baby before it is born, that is called the Initiation Stage.

Babies are usually born without any teeth showing, but their mouths have already started getting ready for teeth to be made in their jaw.

The first sign of teeth getting ready is when the skin in the mouth starts to change.
Very soon a tooth will be made underneath the skin, and the gums need to be ready to heal up quickly when a tooth pokes through the skin for the first time.


(from: wikipedia - dental lamina)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Predjama Castle

We just learned about Bellver Castle.

Another famous castle is Predjama Castle, built around 1200 AD in Slovenia.

This castle was built right into the mouth of a cave, so that it could be very strong against attacks.

Most of the castle is in front of the cave, but some of back walls of the castle are built right into the rock, and they are connected to the entrance to go back into the cave.

The people who created the castle even made secret cave exits that they could use to try and sneak food in and out when the castle was under attack.

Down underneath the castle are four more levels built into the caves!
It is one of the longest caves in Slovenia.






(from: wikipedia - predjama castle)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Michoacan

Epaphroditus - Bishop of Andriace

We just learned about Tychicus - Bishop of Colophonia, one of the seventy disciples.

Another of the seventy is Epaphroditus - Bishop of Andriace.

Epaphroditus was from Philippi, and came to help Paul when he was in jail in Rome.
He was such a hard worker that he worked until he was sick and almost died.

He got better, and later went on to be known as one of the leaders of the church in the town of Philippi.


(from: wikipedia - epaphroditus)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Theodore the Studie

Asura at Kōfuku-ji temple

We just learned about the Kongōrikishi.

Another famous ancient Japanese sculpture is the sculpture of Asura at Kōfuku-ji temple, made around 700 AD in Nara Japan.

Buddhists believe that the Asura is a powerful creature that helps protect the temples.

This sculpture was made using a type of art called kanshitsu, which means dry lacquer.
For this type of art, sculptors first make a model out of clay.
Then they take some cloth that they soak in a special type of oil and sawdust.
After that they wrap the statue in these cloths until it dries.
Last they break the clay out from underneath so it is a hollow statue.


(from: wikipedia - Kōfuku-ji)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Nicolaus Copernicus Monument - Thorwaldsen

Norwegian - Good Morning

We just learned a few ways to say hello and goodbye in Norwegian, like Hei, Ha det.

Sometimes you might want to say good morning, good afternoon, or good night.

Good Morning - God morgen - sounds like goo-d more-ghen

Good Day - God dag - sounds like Goo-d dah-g

Good Afternoon - God ettermiddag - sounds like goo-d eh-teh-r-me-dah-g

Good Evening - God kveld - sounds like goo-d k-veh-l-d

Good Night - God natt - sounds like goo-d nah-t


(from: wikipedia - norwegian language)

Greek: Καλημέρα (Kaliméra), Καλησπέρα (Kalispéra), Καληνυχτα (Kalinychta)

ASL: Good Morning, Good Day, Good Evening, Good Night

Italian: buongiorno, buon pomeriggio, buonasera, buona notte

German: Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, Guten Abend, Gute Nacht

Spanish: Buenos días, buenos tardes, buenas noches

French: bonjour, bonsoir, bonne nuit

Lagari Hasan Çelebi

We just learned about the Bellifortis Rockets.

Another ancient rocket launch from history was the first manned rocket flight, by Lagari Hasan Çelebi in 1633 AD in Instabul, Turkey.

Lagari was famous for flying, and the legend of his flying says that he made a 7 winged rocket with gunpowder, and launched it in the air to celebrate the birth of the sultan's daughter.

Before he launched he said "O my sultan! Be blessed, I am going to talk to Jesus!"

After he landed in the water he swam back to shore and jokingly said "O my sultan! Jesus sends his regards to you!"

Some people think maybe this rocket wasn't real, but since it was so long ago no one can really tell for sure.


(from: wikipedia - lagâri hasan celebi)


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Thrust Fault

Cephalopod Ink

We just learned about the Cephalopod Funnel.

Another part of a cephalopod is the Ink Sac.

This is inside the mantle where the gills are, and when an octopus or squid gets scared it will let out some black ink to hide, and to try and scare off anyone coming to attack it.

The ink just comes out of the ink sac, and they use the funnel that they squirt water out of to shoot the ink all over the place.

The ink is so dark that sometimes people use it to color types of food very dark.


(from: wikipedia - arròs negre)


octopus shooting ink! - Bilal El Hasnaoui


Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Wallace's Flying Frog