EPISODE 31 US President 4TH NOVEMBER 2008 1. Who are the presidential candidates? 2. Why is the President of the United States sometimes called `the world’s most
powerful person’? 3. How many Presidents have there been? 4. Who can run for presidency? 5. Who is responsible for protecting the President? 6. Why do they need protection? 7. Describe the White House. 8. What was surprising about this story? 9. Do you think Australia should be concerned about what happens in the US election? Explain your answer. 10. How has your thinking changed after watching the BtN story?
Investigate how the candidates have used the Internet to campaign for the presidency.
Phone fears 1. Briefly summarise the BtN phone fears story. 2. Describe the importance of mobile phones in Australia. 3. Explain in your own words how a mobile phone works. 4. What else emits radio waves? 5. What is the health concern associated with mobile phones? 6. Why can’t scientists agree on how safe mobile phones are? 7. Why do some scientists say that children under sixteen are at increased risk? 8. What do they recommend children do to use mobile phones safely? 9. Has your thinking about mobile phone safety changed after watching the BtN story? Why or why not? 10. Do you think the benefits of using mobile phones outweigh the potential risks? Explain your answer.
Brainstorm text messaging language. What codes do people use for texting? Create a text message using code and ask another student to decipher it.
Apprentice jockeys 1. Write a brief outline of the BtN story. 2. Describe the training schedule for an apprentice jockey. 3. Apart from riding and looking after horses, what training is involved in becoming a jockey? 4. What qualities do jockeys need to be successful? 5. What is the ultimate goal for many jockeys? 6. Why is height and weight an important factor for jockeys? 7. Why can horse racing be dangerous? 8. What do you understand more clearly about jockeys and horse racing after watching the BtN story? 9. What was surprising about this story? 10. Create a plus, minus and interesting chart about horse racing or being a jockey.
Test your knowledge in the online quiz.
1
Pygmy crocs 1. What was the main point of the story? 2. Where in Australia are pygmy crocs found? 3. What do scientists think has made the crocodiles smaller? 4. What makes scientists think that their genes have changed? 5. How can they test this? 6. What animals are threatening pygmy crocs? 7. What else could have an impact on the pygmy croc population? 8. What is being done to help them survive? 9. What do you think should happen next? 10. Do you think it is important to protect pygmy crocs? Explain your answer.
Send a message or tell us what you think on the BtN Guestbook.
Facebook campaign 1. Summarise the story in your own words. 2. How does Nathan Cawley’s family describe him? 3. Name some of the sports Nathan is involved in. 4. What upcoming events is he training for? 5. Describe the symptoms of Nathan’s medical condition. 6. What might happen as Nathan gets older? 7. Why do people find him so inspirational? 8. Why was the group on Facebook set up? 9. What has the response been? 10. How did this story make you feel?
Go to Nathan Cawley’s Facebook page http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php/?gid=28829201047 and read some of the wall posts. How have people responded to him?
2
US President
Americans are about to go to the polls to decide who will be the next President of the United States. But what does it mean to be President and what do the candidates think about particular issues? EPISODE 31
TH 4 NOVEMBER 2008
Focus Questions Learning Area Society and 1. Who are the presidential candidates? Environment 2. Why is the President of the United States sometimes called `the world’s most powerful person’? 3. How many Presidents have there been? Key learning 4. Who can run for presidency? Students will 5. Who is responsible for protecting the President? investigate the 6. Why do they need protection? candidates for the 7. Describe the White House. US presidential 8. What was surprising about this story? election and their 9. Do you think Australia should be concerned about what happens in the US position on certain issues. election? Explain your answer. 10. How has your thinking changed after watching the BtN story?
Meet the candidates Students will be investigating the candidates running in the US election. Ask students to brainstorm what they already know about the candidates and what they would like to find out. Students will be using the Internet to research who the candidates are and what each stands for on particular issues. Encourage students to choose issues they think are important. The following can be used as a guide:
Environment Education Health care Immigration
Students need to: Summarise what each candidate’s position is on the issues. Explain the similarities and differences between the views of the Democrats and Republicans. Describe why the issues are important to them and where they stand on the same issues. Who they would choose as President with a statement supporting their choice.
Students present their information in an electronic format. This can include:
PowerPoint presentation Web page Animation/Short film
3
Further investigations
Investigate how the candidates have used the Internet to campaign for the presidency.
Write a one-minute speech arguing the importance of the US election for Australia.
Create a bumper sticker that supports one of the candidates. Students can think of a slogan that will catch people’s attention.
Related Research Links
ABC Behind the News – US Elections story http://www.abc.net.au/news/btn/story/s2358468.htm
730 Report – Obama maintains momentum as US Election looms http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2008/s2402631.htm
Children’s BBC – US Elections http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6120000/newsid_6126200/6126250.stm
Children’s BBC – US Elections cyberspace battle http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7680000/newsid_7686600/7686614.stm
Barack Obama official website – Issues http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
John McCain official website – Issues http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/
Nickelodeon’s Kids pick the President http://www.nick.com/kpp/
Brainpop – Presidential election information http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernmentandlaw/presidentialelection/
4
Phone fears
Mobile phone use is increasing amongst young people. But how safe are mobile phones? A recent study showed they may be particularly harmful for kids under the age of 16. EPISODE 31
TH 4 NOVEMBER 2008
Focus Questions Learning Area Mathematics, Society 1. Briefly summarise the BtN phone fears story. and Environment 2. Describe the importance of mobile phones in Australia. 3. Explain in your own words how a mobile phone works. 4. What else emits radio waves? Key learning 5. What is the health concern associated with mobile phones? Students will design 6. Why can’t scientists agree on how safe mobile phones are? a survey about 7. Why do some scientists say that children under sixteen are at increased risk? mobile phone use and 8. What do they recommend children do to use mobile phones safely? collate and present 9. Has your thinking about mobile phone safety changed after watching the BtN the data. story? Why or why not? 10. Do you think the benefits of using mobile phones outweigh the potential risks? Explain your answer.
How do you use your mobile phone? Students will be designing a survey to find out how other students in their class and across the school use their mobile phone. Working in pairs, students brainstorm what key information they want to find out. They need to pose questions for the survey and determine how many students they will interview. They will also need to decide how they are going to display and represent the data (using digital/electronic technologies or other methods). Here is a possible survey structure:
Reason for using a mobile phone Rank in order from Text or most to least important speaking To communicate with parents/family To communicate with friends Play games Clock/alarm Email/Internet Are you concerned that using a mobile phone may be bad for your health? (Yes/No/Comment)
Self Assessment
What worked well with your investigation? What might you do differently next time?
5
Further investigations
Brainstorm text messaging language. What codes do people use for texting? Create a text message using code and ask another student to decipher it.
Create a facts sheet about mobile phones.
Create a ten question true or false quiz about mobile phones.
Related Research Links
ABC News – Mobile use increases child tumour risk: study http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/23/2372421.htm
ABC News – Mobile phones unlikely to cause brain tumours: study http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/03/24/1880722.htm
EPA Mobile phone radiation http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/basestation.html
Children’s BBC – Mobile phones health fears eased http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4430000/newsid_4437500/4437511.stm
Howstuffworks – How cell phones work http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm
6
TRANSCRIPT 04/11/08 Episode 31
On this week's Behind the News
Are kids at risk from mobile phones?
Saddling up for a career on horseback.
And will cane toads create havoc for pygmy crocs?
Hi I'm Nathan Bazley welcome to Behind the News.
Also on the show today the Facebook campaign helping a kid to battle a tough disease.
Those items later but first to our top story.
US PRESIDENT Reporter, Nathan Bazley
INTRO: This week Americans are voting for their new president and people everywhere are watching to see who it will be. It's an enormously important event. For the next four years the winner will play a big part shaping events around the world. So we thought we'd take a look at just what the 'President of the United States' actually does!
These two men have been trying to sell themselves to America.
They've each had their ups and downs and now it's up to the people to decide.
But do you know what it is they're aiming for?
NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: Yes okay, it's the presidency, we all know that! But what does it actually MEAN to be the President of the United States of America?!
Well, here it is! The six things you need to know about being president!
1. What does he control?
He leads a country of 300 million people - 15 times the population of Australia.
As head of the government, he has the power to sign off on any new laws created by congress, which is like their parliament; or he can say no to them!
He also directs the military, which has one million active personnel and he controls spy groups like the CIA!
2. How many has there been?
Well George W. Bush is the 43rd and there have been some crazy characters over the years!
President Harry Truman used to practise the piano every morning for two hours, President Jimmy Carter could read 2000 words a minute and President John Quincy Adams went for a swim every morning in the nude!
3. What does it take to be president?
A presidential candidate must've been born in the United States.
7
He also has to be at least thirty-five years old. That's probably why you don't see too many kids running for office!
So far, all presidents have been white and male. That's why we've referred to the President as 'he' in this story. But with Sarah Palin running to be the first woman Vice President in this election, it might not be long before that changes!
4. Who looks after him?
The job of protecting the president falls to the Secret Service.
You see them all over the place in black suits with ear pieces looking very serious and they'd want to be on their toes too.
Four presidents have been assassinated and two injured, so it's a pretty dangerous job!
5. Where does he live?
This is the white house, home to the president since 1800!
It has 132 rooms and 32 bathrooms, a movie theatre, bowling alley, pool room, tennis court, running track and swimming pool!
6. How does he get around?
Presidents need to be able to move pretty quickly and safely, so to do that he has two specially built jets.
They're called 'Air Force One,' and on board is a fully equipped office, bedrooms, and kitchens that can serve up to 100 people.
The President also has at his disposal heaps of other rides, including a helicopter, called 'Marine One,' and even his armoured limousine called 'Cadillac One!'
So now you know what it's like to be the president, something both Barack Obama and John McCain have probably been dreaming about for a very long time.
And very soon one of them will have their wish!
Presenter And we'll have a full wrap up of the results in next week’s show. Now let’s catch up with some of the week's other headlines. Here's Sarah with the Wire.
The Wire
Last week we told how three men known as the Bali Bombers are facing the death penalty in Indonesia.
They have been sentenced for using bombs to kill more than 200 people including 88 Australians 6 years ago.
It's now reported that they could be executed any day now and there are worries that could cause some violence in Indonesia.
*************
There've been scenes of chaos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is a country in Africa.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled fighting between rebels and government troops and now they have hardly any food to eat. 8
“You know it's really tough to see the kids crying, to see everybody being squished. I mean, they must be starving, they probably haven't eaten in a long time."
Aid groups are worried it could turn into a major catastrophe and are rushing to get more help to the country.
************** Researchers in central Australia hope to have found a new way to preserve threatened species of bush tucker plants.
It seems the survival of vulnerable species like the quandong tree and the world- famous emu could be linked. And the answer is in their excrement.
These emus at the Alice Springs desert park love to eat but it's what happens afterwards that has researchers excited.
They've been collecting the emus’ droppings after feeding them the seeds of the quandong tree.
They want to see if a journey through the emu's digestive system makes it easier to germinate the seed.
D DYLAN FERGUSON: “So what we're trying to do is to see whether the passing of the quandong seeds through emu stomachs can actually break the dormancy of the seed.”
Emu numbers in central Australia are dropping and the animal is considered to be a vulnerable species.
So too are quandongs, which are prized for their traditional bush tucker value and are an emerging "wild foods" export.
“Australians are sometimes criticised for eating one of our national icons. But now it seems the eating habits of the emu could help us save some of our iconic bush plants.”
Both species are important to indigenous people, and their decline is a serious concern.
“Without having emus on country and without having quandongs on country, their tjurkurrpa, their stories, and their muta, their law, starts getting threatened in a living sense.
The collected seeds will be planted and their growth compared with those seeds that haven't passed through an emu.
So for the next few months, researchers are hoping that these birds stay regular.
****
And getting to and from school in NSW is about to become a whole lot more expensive after the government announced it’s scrapping free transport for students.
The changes will affect about 700-thousand kids. But many aren't happy.
“We pay enough money doing other stuff. We don't need to pay for a bus or train”
The government is trying to come up with a compromise to deal.
9
Online Poll
Of course in some other states kids have to pay for their fares so we thought we'd make that our online poll.
The question is "Should students have free public transport?"
If you want to vote go to our website at abc.net.au/btn
PHONE FEARS Reporter, Catherine Ellis
INTRO: These days, most kids have a mobile phone and in many cases it's to keep them safe - so they can contact their parents or get help if they need it. But how safe are mobile phones? A recent study shows they may be particularly dangerous for kids under the age of 16! Catherine thought she'd better check it out.
CATHERINE ELLIS, REPORTER: How would you like to swap your mobile phone for one of these! It's hard to believe it but they were once cool!
Mobiles first hit the streets 25 years ago - they couldn't take photos, you certainly couldn't connect to the internet and as for text messaging - that didn't even exist!
Very few people owned mobiles and they were expensive!
But today in Australia there are more mobile phones than people!
They can do just about anything, you can get reception just about anywhere and most of us can't imagine life without them.
But as for how safe mobiles are, well that's something scientists all around the world, don't seem to be able to agree on.
Let's look at how the phones work.
CATHERINE: When you make a call, your voice is converted into radio waves which travel through the air to the nearest phone tower.
It then sends your call through the telephone network until it reaches the person you're calling.
CATHERINE: So the whole time you're having a conversation, your phone is emitting these 'radiowaves'.
Now these invisible radiowaves are everywhere - and lots of other things emit them, but the worry with mobiles is we hold them so close to our heads and there's a lot of debate about whether that could be harmful.
Some scientists say the radiowaves travel into our heads and damage the brain cells which can lead to cancer.
A recent study found kids under 16 are particularly at risk because their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner so it's even easier for radiowaves to get in.
CATHERINE: But while there are tonnes of studies which say mobile phones are bad, there are just as many showing they're completely safe.
The debate and research has been going for years.
In that time some people have posted video clips on the net which show mobiles frying eggs or popping popcorn but they're definitely fake!
10
One was actually just an ad encouraging people to buy handsfree kits!
As no one knows for sure at this stage exactly how safe mobile phones are, some scientists recommend that we play it safe by using text messaging wherever possible, keep conversations short and use the loudspeaker.
CATHERINE: Now this is a bit off the topic, but just another thought to leave you with; a recent study on germs found, the average mobile phone contains more bacteria than a toilet!
Presenter
Of course we wouldn't recommend putting your ear to the toilet anyway.
Quiz 1
Time for a quiz
Which can run the fastest?
1. Greyhound 2. Horse 3. Cheetah
Cheetah
APPRENTICE JOCKEYS Reporter, Sarah Larsen
INTRO: The Cheetah is the fastest land animal and can do around 112 ks an hour - thoroughbred race horses can hit about 60 to 70. And a lot of people will be hoping their horse can do that today in the biggest race of the year - the Melbourne Cup. Parties are being held everywhere to watch the race and join in the fun. But racing is also a serious sport and Sarah's been finding out all about it at jockey school.
SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: This is it; the race that stops the nation. And if it looks pretty exciting from the sidelines, imagine what the race is like on one of these. For the winner, that feeling of crossing the line and holding up the trophy.
JOCKEY: It doesn't get any sweeter than that.
To me, being a jockey looked like a pretty cool job so I thought I'd go and find out it what it takes to ride a racehorse to victory. The first thing I learned was being a jockey means getting up early.
REPORTER: It's 7 o'clock in the morning. Most people are just getting out of bed but these guys have already been training for hours.
Jordan is 15 and like many of these guys he's an apprentice jockey. 6 days a week they're up at dawn for 4 hours of riding then maybe a swim or a roll and some grooming. They look after the horses and learn on the job. They also go to TAFE classes where they learn everything from racing facts to nutrition and finance and, when they're ready for it, they start racing in the country and minor races.
REPORTER: You're riding now, aren't you?
JORDAN: Yeah, I'm riding in races now. It’s an enormous feeling. Probably the best thing ever, yeah.
Tillie knows that feeling well. She's been racing for 10 months and has already won 28 races.
11
REPORTER: And what's your ultimate goal.
TILLIE: To one day ride in the Melbourne cup.
But to get to race in front of a 100 thousand people you have to learn a lot of tricks.
REPORTER: What sort of skills does it take to be a jockey?
JORDAN: Balance is probably one of the most you need - is very good balance, rhythm, and you really have to kind of have a race brain so when you’re out there you know which decisions to make whether to go to the fence or to go the outside - you just have to be smart - or if you’re in front you know you're not going too quick and you know you're not going too slow.
REPORTER: Ok. So it's not just a case of going out there and letting the horse do it?
JORDAN: No, far from it.
REPORTER: Do you have to have been around horses all your life?
TILLY: No you don't. A lot of jockeys just decide it would be a good career option. And they might not have touched a horse before but they start their training at 15 at the TAFE and they learn to ride and they continue on.
REPORTER: Do you think many kids would enjoy doing what you do?
TILLY: I think they would.
Jockeys also have to be light so they don't weigh the horse down, so you don't have to be short, but it helps! But you still need muscles.
REPORTER: Is it dangerous?
TILLY: Yes, very dangerous. You're dealing with 500kg animals with a mind of their own.
So there you have it. Being a jockey takes strength, balance, nerves of steel and lots of hard work. As for me, I think I'll leave Reddy here to the professionals and stick to horses of a safer kind!
Presenter Least riding that sort of horse we got Sarah back in one piece.
THE SCORE
And there's a bit more racing news in the score.
***********
Clare Lindop has become the first woman to win the Victoria Derby, one of the big leadup races to the Melbourne Cup.
In a massive upset, Clare managed to push her horse past the post before the favourite 'Whobegotyou.'
***********
British driver Lewis Hamilton has become the youngest winner of the Formula One drivers' championship in a dramatic finish to the season in Brazil.
Hamilton needed to finish no worse than fifth to take the title, but was stuck in sixth place with just one corner of the final lap remaining. 12
He then squeezed back into fifth spot to secure the title ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa.
************
Australia has drawn the second test with India in Dehli.
That leaves India still leading the four test series one nil.
************
In netball the Aussies avenged last week's loss to New Zealand with a 43 to 41 win in Brisbane
New Zealand has claimed the test series on goal difference.
*************
And Queensland's Jared Graves has won the elite men's downhill round of the national mountain bike series in South Australia.
Claire Whiteman won the women's elite race. Chris Jongewaard took out the men's cross country race
PYGMY CROCS Reporter, Catherine Ellis
INTRO: When you think of crocodiles, you probably think of giant man-eating creatures but have you ever heard of a pygmy croc? Scientists reckon they've discovered a rare new species that's miniature!! They're doing tests to work out if it is a distinct species but as Catherine discovered, they've got to be quick because some toads are on their way.
CATHERINE ELLIS, REPORTER: Right now we're checking out a part of the Northern Territory which not many Aussies have ever been to.
It's in the north-west and you can only reach it by helicopter.
There's lots of gorges and waterholes and it's home to what could prove to be a brand new species of freshwater crocodile.
During the day it doesn't look like anyone's at home, but at night you can spot their eyes!
ADAM, SCIENTIST: This is a pygmy freshwater crocodile. It's about 1.1 metres, he's male, and he's about as big as they get.
And they make a weird noise!
Scientists like Adam are on a mission to understand these dwarf crocs.
They reckon a lack of food here has permanently stunted the growth of crocs in the area and they've now evolved into a totally separate species!!
One thing they did was breed some of the pygmy crocs at a zoo and they fed the babies a normal diet, but they still didn't grow, so that's one big clue that their genes have changed!
Of course the way to find out once and for all is to test their DNA.
13
You see DNA is made up of genes and if the genes are different from those of the big fresh water crocs, then the pygmy croc is a new species!
But to do this they need at least 20 of the reptiles to gather enough material to make a comparison.
Once they get that, the samples will be sent away to be tested.
But there's a threat.
Seen these before? They're cane toads. They're pests from overseas that are invading parts of Australia and they're believed to be on their way to where the crocs live.
TOAD BUSTER: This is a female. You can see its back is smoother than a male. A male's back is really prickly.
Toad busters are doing their best to get rid of as many as possible, but many people fear the miniature crocs won't survive the arrival of the cane toads.
ADAM: The toxins that cane toads have in their bodies are enough to kill even adult freshwater crocodiles.
If that's the case, how on earth are the little guys going to survive?!
ADAM: Another problem is because there is hardly any food available for them anyway, as soon as you introduce a new food source, of course they're going to exploit it.
Snake and goanna populations are already suffering and a special breeding program could be the only hope for the Pygmy crocs.
ADAM: Personally I think it would be tragic if these crocodiles disappeared because of cane toads and particularly if we find out that they are actually genetically distinct.
To have a successful breeding program it would cost a lot of money and they'd need at least a hundred pygmy crocs, but the future of these unique little guys may just depend on it.
Presenter
I never even knew pint sized crocs existed! I kinda want one for a pet.
Quiz 2
Alright we might do a quiz on their normal sized cousins.
Which grows the longest?
1. Alligator 2. Crocodile
Answer: Crocodile
Alligators are a little bit smaller and only live in the United States and China.
FACEBOOK KID Reporter, Sarah Larsen
INTRO: Having lots of facebook friends can make you feel good. But how would you like to have a whole facebook group dedicated to calling you a legend? This week 14
Sarah found out about a 13-year old kid who's getting pretty popular online. His friends and family reckon he's an inspiration and now they're helping him to inspire others via the web.
SARAH LARSEN, REPORTER: This is Nathan Cawley. He's a bit of a legend.
TEGAN CAWLEY: I just honestly couldn't ask for a better brother. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world.
And it’s not just Nathan's sister who thinks so.
JESSICA JUDGE: He's very funny and cheeky and always smiles. And everybody always knows him. He is a really nice kid.
So what makes this guy such a legend? Well for starters he's a pretty good sportsman.
TEGAN CAWLEY: He does so many sports and I can't count all of them on both of my hands.
Just to name a few, there's footy, table tennis, and swimming. He's training with the best at the Australian Institute of Sport.
NATHAN CAWLEY: I'm training for the Paralympics in 2012, so I'm hopefully going to make that goal, that's my goal for the next four years. This year I am going to the Pan- Pacific Games to represent the ACT so I am training hard for that now.
This isn't as easy for Nathan as it looks. He has a rare disease that affects the nerves that control movement in the body. Usually the brain sends signals along those nerves telling the muscles to move but in Nathans body the signals sometimes get mixed up and his muscles don't do what he wants them to.
NATHAN CAWLEY: Some days my legs won't work properly, I have a little trouble getting out of bed. I sometimes, I have to sit down at school.
As he gets older Nathan's disease will probably get worse and he may end up in a wheelchair. But nothing will stop him getting the most out of life.
MICK CAWLEY: As a father I find there are qualities he gives to me that, suppose, in a normal relationship I would give to him. His attitude is, his outlook on life is so positive.
So he's a sports star and an inspiration but how else do we know Nathan Cawley's a legend? Well, more than 200 people say so!
FRIEND: His sister and I started a group on Facebook called "200 people who believe that Nathan Cawley is a legend".
JESSICA JUDGE: Basically, we set this up to raise the awareness and give him the extra boost to try his hardest and we are there to support him and all the people on Facebook are there to support him.
NATHAN CAWLEY: My sister didn't tell me about this to begin with. I think she started it and she told me a week later. The idea was to find 200 people who think Nathan Cawley is a legend.
REPORTER: The idea worked! "Nathan Cawley is a legend" now has way more than 200 members. There are people from all over Australia here saying how much he has inspired them.
The Facebook group is spreading awareness about Nathan's disease. But more importantly it's spreading friendship and his awesome attitude to life. 15
NATHAN CAWLEY: I do look forward to the future but I am focusing on my now and my family and my friends they're the ones that keep me going. I love them very much. So thank you everyone for what's happening to me so far. Thank you.
CLOSER
A nice use for Facebook there and one very strong kid.
A while ago we did a story about bears in Romania and how they're often held captive in very cruel conditions. Well that has inspired the kids at Flagstaff Hill School.
They wrote and produced this show about the bears
“We felt sorry for the bears and other exotic animals kept in dingy cages and abused by trainers in circuses.”
Great work and we've put extra highlights of that on our website. That's it for another show. Catch ya later.
16