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

I'm your host, Kelsey Starks.

Let's start today with a big shout out to the 2021 National Teacher of the Year from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Way to go, Juliana Urtubey, a special education teacher at Booker Elementary School!

Congratulations!

Now for today's Challenge Question.

This one should be pretty fun!

What building blocks were invented in Denmark?

Now these blocks are small for older users, but there are larger versions as well for toddlers.

There are all sorts of kits that include these colorful plastic pieces.

Several movies have been made with inspiration from these blocks.

Your parents probably complain if they happen to step on one of these little bricks!

Ouch!

Can you think of it?

What building blocks were invented in Denmark?

We'll have that answer for you after the news.

Topping our news, there is a target date for the end of an American military mission that's been called the "forever war."

Operation Enduring Freedom began October 7, 2001 when American troops went to Afghanistan to battle terrorists who had organized the September 11th, 2001 attacks.

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia.

It is bordered by Pakistan and Iran among other countries.

Kabul is the capital.

In his recent speech to Congress, President Biden said he wants U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021 - that's almost 20 years later.

The combat, known as Operation Enduring Freedom, continued for 13 years.

But even after the fighting ended, American troops remained to train and advise the Afghan security forces.

Now military crews are packing up equipment and preparing to transition back to the states.

It is possible the last American troops could leave well before that September 11th deadline.

The battle in other parts of the world continues against the COVID-19 pandemic.

While things are beginning to open up here in the U.S., other countries are still reporting thousands of deaths and full hospitals because of the illness.

The Asian nation of India is one of those countries.

More than 15 million cases of the virus have been reported.

That is second only to the U.S. where we've had more than 32 million cases.

India's prime minister has encouraged the people to stay where they are, follow the lockdown procedures, and get vaccinated when the vaccine is available.

The U.S. and other countries have donated medicines to help India.

Vaccinations are being sent to other countries as well - like many in Africa, where they are also desperately needed.

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

Questions 1 and 2 are about to come home!

Back to the news.

Last week we talked about Russia's historic space anniversary.

The U.S. is now celebrating that milestone as well.

60 years ago, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard launched into space for a 15 minute-flight on board the space capsule that he named Freedom 7.

Shepard didn't orbit the Earth, but he still enjoyed the view from 116 miles above the ground.

Those momentous space flights have come a long way.

Now several companies are standing by to take tourists on space flights.

Space tourism is on the horizon.

In the coming years, we will see people taking a short hop through the atmosphere, and trips to visit the International Space Station.

Running along the rail lines, Amtrak is celebrating an anniversary as well - 50 years of transporting people by train!

Amtrak is the only nationwide passenger train service in the U.S. President Biden visited the Amtrak celebration in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The president was a regular Amtrak passenger while he was a U.S. senator and vice president.

He sees Amtrak and other rail services as an important part of America's infrastructure.

And the Mayflower is getting ready to set sail!

No, not the original!

But this autonomous Mayflower ship is getting ready to follow the original's path across the Atlantic Ocean.

There are no humans on board this vessel.

Instead, the remote-controlled version is studying the health of our oceans.

It is looking at pollution in the waters, water temperatures, levels, and the aquatic wildlife it encounters.

The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is depending on natural forces like wind and solar energy for power.

There is a backup fuel-powered generator - just in case.

The little sh trans-Atlantic journey should take about two weeks to complete.

You can complete the second part of today's Quiz.

If you aren't a bug person, brace yourself.

Entomologists - scientists who study bugs - say trillions of cicadas are getting ready to emerge from their 17-year slumber.

Cicadas are winged insects with red, bulging eyes.

But, they don't fly well.

Instead, they make loud screeching noises.

Now they are not harmful to people or pets.

These weird creatures only emerge from the ground every 17 years.

They will usually come out at night to avoid their predators, like birds.

The creatures are expected to make their presence known in at least 15 of the United States.

That includes eastern locations like Georgia, Tennessee and yes, Kentucky.

On the continent of Africa, a unique rescue was needed to save several giraffes in Kenya.

The long-necked creatures were living on Longicharo Island which is located in a large lake in western Kenya.

They had been moved there to expand the giraffes' habitat because they are considered a vulnerable species.

But during the rainy season in the region, water levels in the lake covered large amounts of the island - the island was sinking.

The giraffes had only a small area to graze and their food supply was running low.

So rescue crews air-lifted the animals back to the mainland.

Now they are living on a wildlife reserve where there is plenty of food and room to roam.

From the country of Lebanon, an ancient temple has gone digital.

Lebanon is a country located in Western Asia.

It borders Syria, Israel and the Mediterranean Sea.

Beirut is the Lebanese capital.

The Baalbek Temple is one of the most well-preserved examples of Roman architecture, including the massive columns.

Baalbek was one of the biggest Roman temples ever built, especially in this part of the world.

A virtual reality app can take guests on a tour of the temple, even if they can't get to Lebanon.

The voice-guided tour shows tourists around the temple complex and provides interesting facts and information about the area.

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

Question 8 will be a noisy nuisance.

You've answered the Quiz questions.

Now what are your thoughts on our Opinion Question?

Let's look at some of your "News Quiz" evaluations!

Miss Kurey's 5th Grade Class at Clinton Elementary School in Illinois gives us very positive feedback.

"We love "News Quiz"!

We think that it is really entertaining and we learn a lot.

We think that the questions could be a little more challenging, but we would still recommend watching this to all our friends!"

Thank You!

"We would love it if you could make more episodes for us to watch at home over the summer too!"

We'll have to think about that!

Good suggestion.

Ryann and Kaz from the 4th Grade at Lemons Mill Elementary in Georgetown, Kentucky gave us good grades.

Ryann says, "I love that we get to answer questions about real situations in our country and other countries."

While Kaz suggests, "•I would like you guys to read a question give like 5 seconds and then say the answer."

Good idea.

Aneya is in the 6th Grade at La Cañada School in California.

She likes our positivity.

"I love the fact that you don't talk about that much negative stuff like regular news.

I love that you always have a smile on your face and ask some questions for us."

Thank you!

Dante is a 5th Grader at Howell Elementary in Erlanger, Kentucky who likes our environmental stories.

"• you can learn new things and learn new topics... my favorite stories are about the people helping the environment."

Kemper from Longbranch Elementary in Boone County, Kentucky and Avanni from Carver Elementary in Iowa both suggest having guest hosts.

Kemper says, "...a guest celebrity host would help tell the exotic stories.

I would also do an activist of the week thing where you tell a story about them."

And Avanni would like... "Steph Curry as the host...

He can make basketball questions and it would be fun to see him on camera."

That is a great suggestion!

And we still want to know what you think!

How would you evaluate "News Quiz"?

And why?

Your answers can help us improve the show for future students who watch!

Email those responses to: NewsQuiz@ket.org... Or use the form at KET.org/newsquiz.

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

And teachers, be sure to take our end-of-the-year survey to let us know what YOU think too.

Look for it at KET.org/newsquiz.

Now what was your answer to today's Challenge Question?

Did you put the pieces together?

If you said LEGOS, you are correct!

The first sets of these building blocks were actually wooden.

They were produced and first sold in 1949 in the European country of Denmark.

Now look at them!

Eight LEGOLAND theme parks are open around the world.

And there will soon be a ninth one opening this summer.

LEGOLAND New York will be the third LEGO theme park in the U.S.

The others are in California and Florida.

And here are the rest of today's answers.

As we leave today, May the Fourth be with you!

You probably heard that on the fourth of May because it sounds similar to the familiar movie line, May the FORCE be with you!

Star Wars fans across the galaxy lifted their light sabers on this particular date.

In Taipei, Taiwan, dozens of costumed fans gathered on the top floor of the country's tallest building to celebrate this saga!

Well that is it for us today.

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

Bye!

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ]