When did plastic first come into being?

The word plastic originates from the Greek language; it means ‘fit for moulding’ in Greek. Material with naturally plastic qualities have been used for thousands of years. Some historians trace the invention of modern plastic to the English chemist Alexander Parkes, when he made imitation ivory combs. His experiment began by adding nitric acid to […]

Where does vanilla come from?

Vanilla comes from something called a “vanilla bean” or a “vanilla pod”. While they don’t look very much like other fruits that you’re used to seeing, these very special vanilla pods are the fruit of a type of orchid plant! Inside of a vanilla pod are small vanilla beans. These beans become the flavour and […]

Tips to ace revision just before your exams

It’s that time of the year when students spend more time with books than at play or with friends. Exam season is back. While some students have their game plan on and are well-prepared to face the examinations, others are nervous, finishing their last-minute revisions. It’s important to ensure that the last minute efforts are […]

50 MORE AWESOME FACTS (ABOUT EVERYTHING)

ISTOCK We can’t put down National Geographic Kids’ new book 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything) 2. Here are 50 more of our favorite awesome facts from its pages. 1. Black bears sometimes hibernate in the tops of trees. * 2. The first organized baseball game was played in Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.A., in 1849. * 3. Tokelau, […]

How to manage time during your exams?

Time management plays a pivotal role in your exam preparations. But what most of the students don’t realize is the importance of managing time during exams. You may prepare well for your exams but if you do not manage time while attempting a paper, it’ll do no good to you. Mastering the art of managing […]

Here’s how you can overcome your exam fear

Exams are around the corner and as a student you have multiple subjects and vast coursework to finish before you step into the examination hall. While it’s normal to be a little anxious, excessive stress and pressure on yourself is detrimental to your health and performance. We have compiled a list of practices that can […]

5 ways to improve your memory

Your memory is your best ally during exam preparations. Improving it and allowing it to come to your aid during the exam requires a strategy. Here are some ways that improve your memory which could be customized to your study plans. #1 – Learn by Chunking Chunking or breaking your syllabus into smaller portions help […]

Why do raccoons wash their food

Raccoon , the ‘masked bandit’ of the animal world, is famous for its habit of stealing food. Raccoons can eat anything, be it plants or meat. That is why they are called ‘omnivorous’ animals. In the wild they will eat plants, fruits and nuts. In cities, they will still from your garbage cans, snatch away […]

How did superstitions begin?

Superstitions began centuries ago when our ancestors tried to explain mysterious circumstances or events as best as they could, with the knowledge they had. For instance, before the development in science explained such strange things as why mirrors show our reflections or why shadows appear when it’s sunny, ancient people reasoned that a shadow or […]

What is brain freeze?

Have you ever experienced a sudden headache when eating or drinking something very cold? This is ‘brain freeze’ sometimes called an ‘ice-cream headache’. The medical term for this type of headache is ‘sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia’ , which is a mouthful, so let’s just stick with brain freeze, okay? When something cold touches the roof of your […]