[ MUSIC ] >> KELSEY: Hi, and welcome to KET's "News Quiz"!

I'm your host, Kelsey Starks.

We are going to get started with a Challenge Question all about wildlife today.

Think about the great outdoors.

What is the term used for animals most at risk for becoming extinct?

The term is used when the number of animals in a species is low.

And it doesn't just apply to animals.

Even some plants are put on this list when they are in danger of becoming extinct.

Can you think of it?

What is the term used for animals most at risk for becoming extinct?

That answer, after the news.

Well if you're watching us on April 22nn, Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is celebrated around the world each year on April 22nd.

That's the date suggested by U.S.

Senator Gaylord Nelson back in the 1960's.

He was inspired by conservationists who urged him and other U.S. leaders to clean up our country and world.

The first official Earth Day was held in 1970.

It was a day when teachers were encouraged to help students learn more about our environment and the importance of caring for our planet.

Following that first observance the U.S. government responded with new environmental laws to protect natural areas.

It included stronger punishment for littering and damaging protected land and animals.

Earth Day became a global event in 1990.

And today about a billion people recognize and participate in Earth Day events on April 22nd each year.

Also happening this month is the observation of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer and reflection for the Islamic faith.

Ramadan takes place during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

This year it began on April 13th and will end on May 14th.

Muslims around the world connect with their communities through fasting, good deeds and prayers.

On the first day of Ramadan, Muslims in Senegal sang poems and prayed at a mosque in Dakar.

Senegal is a country in Western Africa.

Attending the prayers at the mosque during this month is an important part of their spiritual devotion.

The same is true in other countries.

This year many are wearing masks in order to participate.

Mecca is Islam's holiest city.

It is in Saudi Arabia and is home to the Grand Mosque.

Limited numbers of people are being allowed in this year for noon prayers on the white marble floors.

In the past, thousands of pilgrims would travel to Mecca during Ramadan.

Time now for the first part of today's Quiz...

Questions 1 and 2 celebrate our planet.

Back to the news.

A boat made of recycled waste materials is setting sail to make a point around Kenya's largest lake.

Kenya is a country in East Africa.

It borders the Indian Ocean, Uganda and Tanzania among other countries.

Lake Victoria is Kenya's largest lake, and it's shared by all three countries.

After witnessing the plastic waste and pollution in local waterways, a ship builder and environmental activist set out to build a vessel from recycled waste materials.

The FlipFlopi is that boat!

Now the two master ship builders and some crew members are setting sail around Lake Victoria to show others what can be done with waste - instead of discarding it into the waters.

From south of the equator now, some Australian seaweed farmers think they've found a key to reducing greenhouse gases from cows.

Yes, you may not realize it, but after eating, cows release methane gas back into our atmosphere.

But the farmers have found that the Australian seaweed, when mixed with canola oil, reduces the amount of methane that the bovine's release.

But the environmental seaweed business isn't open for worldwide use just yet.

Right now, they are growing and harvesting the water-based plants in Tasmania, an Australian island off the southern tip of the continent.

They are testing their theories on local farms before making a push for international use.

And also in Australia, there's a superbug that may not be as harmful as it sounds.

The bacteria are named anammox.

Scientists working with the Queensland Urban Utilities found the oversized organisms feed on household wastewater - mainly what's flushed down your toilet.

They have found the bacteria eat through sewage like an all-natural cleanser.

Now they are growing anammox bugs on small plastic discs which are moved into the sewage tanks where they go to work.

The bacteria grow very slowly, however, so they are just now getting enough of them to make progress at the Queensland Utilities.

They started the process five years ago.

Researchers say the microscopic creatures will help save energy in the long run.

Now here's the second part of today's Quiz...

Question 5 is ready to set sail.

A museum in London, England is making plans to reach Net Zero by 2033.

But, what does that mean?

Net Zero means balancing out the amount of greenhouse gases put into our air, and the amount that's taken from it.

Over the past decades, the loss of forests and plant life along with carbon-filled emissions from vehicles and factories have put a lot of carbon dioxide into the air.

And it has damaged our atmosphere.

London's Science Museum wants to reduce their carbon footprint and reach net zero years ahead of other places.

They are starting with a new exhibit called "Our Future Planet," which will open in May.

The exhibit explores new technologies and nature-based solutions to help heal our planet.

In New York, the work of a famed Japanese artist is on display, accentuating nature at a botanical garden.

Yayoi Kusama lives in Japan.

But many of her creations are on display for visitors to enjoy in America.

The artist was inspired by her grandparents' plant nursery as a child and now creates sculptures and paintings that feature plants as their focal point.

A giant pumpkin is one of the main attractions for people to explore.

And, the botanical garden's own trees are wrapped in colorfully painted red fabric with white polka dots.

Visitors say it's amazing to see the artwork among the natural beauty.

Even the cherry trees are in bloom creating even more inspiration.

Tthe tulips are creating springtime art in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is a country in northwestern Europe.

It's known for windmills and tulip fields.

Amsterdam is the Dutch capital.

This spring more people will be able to enjoy the beautiful flowers because the pandemic lockdown has been lifted.

Restrictions are still in place, but flower gardens can be open for business.

World-famous Keukenhoff Garden is one of the first to open with a government-approved plan.

Visitors are allowed in after a negative COVID-19 test.

Those who get to wander through will enjoy seven million tulips, hyacinths, and other flowers that were hand-planted by Keukenhoff's army of gardeners.

Let's wander through the final part of today's Quiz.

Question 8 is about the London museum's environmental exhibit.

Time now to find out more about your hometowns.

Yzabelle is a 5th Grader at River Ridge Elementary in Kenton County, Kentucky.

But her hometown is around the world.

"my favorite thing about Legazpi City, Philippines is our culture.

I believe this because our food, religion, and everyday life are unique and very different from other countries because of our tropical weather living on the equator."

From below the equator, Paige is in her 6th year at Yaldhurst Model School in NEW ZEALAND.

She says, "My favourite thing about my hometown, Christchurch, is the beautiful landscapes and the sunrises because everywhere you go there is something new to do and we have lots of walks through our native bush.

...I love going on walks with my mum on the weekends."

Wonderful!

Closer to home, Aniston is a 4th Grader at South Green E;ementary in Glasgow, Kentucky.

Her hometown includes cave exploration!

"...[in] Mammoth Cave...you get to learn all about the different bat species and the fish species and all the workers there are nice and tell you real facts of what happens in our cave."

Very Cool!

Meanwhile, Beechwood Elementary 5th Grader, Caroline enjoys nature above ground in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.

"...there is a big, beautiful cemetery with several hiking trails.

I visit the trails often with our friends and family.

My favorite part is exploring the creek and finding fish, tadpoles, turtles, and fossils!"

And from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mrs. Daugherty's 5th Grade class at King Elementary Children's Center for Engineering came to a consensus... "Our favorite thing about our hometown is the Green Bay Packers football team and cheese!

We love having warm, fried cheese curds at restaurants.

We like cheese on fries and just about everything.

Fresh cheese curds that squeak when you eat them are fantastic too!"

Those are awesome!

Hey, you've been sending such great responses that we're extending this question for one more week.

What is your favorite thing about your hometown?

And why is it your favorite?

Keep sending your letters to us at: NewsQuiz@ket.org.

Or use the form at KET.org/newsquiz.

Be sure to include your hometown name, YOUR name, grade, school, and teacher's name in your response!

Time to get a look at today's answers!

Let's think back to that Challenge Question...

ENDANGERED is the term used for an animal or other type of species that is nearing extinction.

Several species of Asian fresh-water turtles have been added to one endangered species list.

In Vietnam alone, scientists noted a drop in turtle numbers.

Four-eyed turtles are now considered critically endangered.

They are known for distinctive markings on the back of their heads that look like two sets of eyes.

Several factors have led to the turtles' endangerment.

Humans use them for several purposes, and their habitat is shrinking.

Conservationists hope stricter rules and punishments for turtle poachers will allow the numbers to grow again.

And here are the rest of today's answers.

As we leave today, we want to introduce you to Pascal!

That's the name given to the baby river otter at the Brookfield, Illinois Zoo.

Pascal was born in January.

The zoo held a contest to name the otter pup.

Pascal just happens to be the name of an otter character in a popular video game!

That's it for us today.

We'll see you next week for more "News Quiz"!

Bye!

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