common core state standards

Science Snippet: The Perfect Pizza

Ahhh! Picture the perfect pizza slice: steamy and sizzling, with stretchy cheese dripping from the edges as you lift it from the pan. Its savory scent entices you, as your mouth waters to welcome that first bite.

I LOVE pizza. (Bet you do too!) So I was intrigued when Scholastic asked me to report on the science behind pizza cheese for March’e SuperScience.

My research brought me to materials engineer Bryony James, who is investigating the properties of pizza cheese. In her lab, at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, James has eight pizzas simmering. Each is topped with a different cheese. She wanted to find out what physical properties give pizza cheese those golden patches of toasty bubbles.

When James’s results were in, they explained why mozzarella is the pizza cheese champion. Mozzarella has just the right amounts of moisture, oil, and stretchiness to create that bubbly top that appeals to pizza lovers.

Here’s how the mouth-watering magic happens. When the pizza heats up, moisture evaporates to form steam. The steam expands the stretchy mozzarella to form bubbles. As the bubbles grow, oil slides off, allowing the bubbles to brown.

Scientists like James have been studying pizza cheese for more than a century, because cheese makers are always seeking out improved varieties. For example, when U.S. cheese makers shipped mozzarella across the country, it spoiled. So scientists engineered a drier mozzarella that stays fresh longer. When faster pizza ovens were invented in the ’80s, cheese needed to be tweaked so it wouldn’t melt quickly and burn. Today, scientists are experimenting with making pizza cheese with less fat and sodium. Their challenge: make a healthier pizza that also tastes good.

If you want more historical information to chew on, read The Power of Pizza.

Here’s a question to whet your appetite:

Cultural historians believe pizza became popular in the United States after World War II because:

1. American G.I.s grew to like it while serving in Italy.
2. It was easy to eat in front of the newly invented TV.
3. Lots of cars enabled take-out, delivery, and road food.
4. 1, 2, and 3

See paragraph nine for the answer.

Still hungry for more cheese information? Click on James’s picture above to watch a video of her describing her experiments and/or read the NPR story.

You can view my school program/author visit video at:

SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

View or download my school program/author visit brochure at:

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

See my husband’s and my photography at: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

March 23, 2015 0

Craneville School Salute!

The snow was swirling on a blustery day in the Berkshires. But despite the frosty weather, I received a heartwarming welcome from the teachers, principal, custodian, and students at the Craneville School. Thank you all for a rewarding and exciting day. Thanks also to Rob Difazio for a skillful job organizing the visit and to Sascha for her colorful and cheery poster!

Beautiful work Sascha! — BEAUTIFUL WORK, SASCHA!

I hope to hear from you again soon, when you send along your “Exciting Writing.” Please do!
P.S. How did your class’s alliteration and similes activities go, Mrs. Cimini?

You can view my school program/author visit video at:

SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

You can view or download my school program/author visit brochure at:

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

See my husband’s and my photography at: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

February 4, 2015 1

Author Program/School Visit Video

Previewing a program before an author visits is not always possible. In order to give teachers and parents a better idea of my programs, I am adding a short movie to this blog. So break out the popcorn and hope to see you soon!

SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

You can view or download my school program/author visit brochure at:

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE See my husband’s and my photography at: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

December 17, 2014 0

Delightful Day at Dennett

When I walked through the doors of the Dennett Elementary School for an author visit, my first sight was a colorful display case filled with my photographs and books. I immediately felt welcome.

The Librarian, Geri O’Reilly, showed me the creative response projects her students had written after viewing the photos on my blog.What a clever way to to stimulate her students’ imaginations and to prepare them for the program.

Working with the Dennett School community was fun and inspiring, as we delved into nonfiction, writing, and science. Thank you to the teachers, custodian, principal, and students who gave me the gift of a delightful day!

You can view or download my school program brochure at:
AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS
See my husband’s and my photography at: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

October 29, 2014 0

Summer of the Glacier

Hiking on the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park of Alberta, Canada

This summer, our family discovered that hiking on a glacier is a thrilling way to stay cool. Our destination was the Canadian Rockies–a wonderland filled with glaciers, mountain trails, wildflowers, and wildlife.

Now that autumn is near, and we’ve begun the school year, we have memories to savor of our Summer of the Glaciers. Here are a few photos of our adventures.

Matt stands with pick ax on the Athabasca Glacier. Note the snowmobile in the background--for less intrepid souls. — Matt stands with pick ax on the Athabasca Glacier. Note the snowmobile in the background–for less intrepid souls.

I am photographing the Athabasca Glacier we had been hiking on.

Here we stand before the angel Glacier on Mount Edith Cavell. the peak was named for the WWI heroine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Edith_Cavell — Here we stand before the Angel Glacier on Mount Edith Cavell. The peak was named for the WWI heroine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Edith_Cavell

We ventured to Opal Hills, where we had previously met a Mama grizzly bear and two cubs. No “luck” this year. :->

We met bears this year, but only from the car.

Photographing wildflowers is a lovely way to rest on a hot, steep trail.

I hope you enjoyed your summer and I look forward to working with you this year.
You can view or download my school program brochure at:
AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE
See our photography web site: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

September 10, 2014 0

Science Snippet: Poison Power

From Snow White’s poisonous apple to Harry Potter’s venomous basilisk, storybooks are filled with poisonous brews and venomous beasts.

People are fascinated by poisons, toxins, and venoms, says Mark Sidall, of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Sidall is curator of the exhibition “The Power of Poison,” which will be on display until August 10, 2014. The exhibition explores poison’s roles in nature, myth, and human health. Visitors will discover how poison may be used as a defense against predators, a source of strength, or as a lethal weapon-turned-lifesaving treatment.

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Sidall for Scholastic’s SuperScience magazine. The resulting story introduces three pairs of predator and prey facing off in toxic arms races. It describes how, over generations, these competitors’ defenses have become more extraordinary and their chemical weapons more extreme.

To read the story go to http://magazines.scholastic.com/news/2014/05/Poison-Power .

For information about the exhibition go to http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/the-power-of-poison .

You can view or download my school program brochure at:
AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

See our photography web site: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

July 28, 2014 0

Macomber School Visit

On a recent author visit to the Macomber School, I was greeted with this beautiful display of reports on some of my nonfiction books. Thank you to the teachers, secretaries, principal, and students for warmly welcoming me, participating enthusiastically, and singing sweetly. I had lots of fun with you all!

You can view or download my school program brochure:
AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

See our photography web site: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

May 30, 2014 0

Adjective in Detail Poems

After a recent author program, the third grade teacher invited me to his classroom to read some of the writing his children were doing. That is when I discovered Adjective in Detail Poems. The formula is simple.

First pick your adjective and then write:

1) What your adjective is NOT

2) Three examples that show what your adjective is

3) Two examples of what your adjective sounds like

4) Another word for your adjective

5) One thing about your adjective

Here’s the poem I wrote.

GRACEFUL
Graceful is not a clackety-clanking crash.
Graceful is a silky-swirling scarf.
Graceful is a dainty-tiptoeing dancer.
Graceful is a sparkly-spinning skater.
Graceful sounds like smooth-soothing music.
Graceful sounds like the whisper of floating snow.
Another word for graceful is elegant.
One thing about graceful is it makes your heart sing.

Now try your own!

You can view or download my school program brochure:

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

See our photography web site: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

May 7, 2014 0

The Whales’ Voyage

Beneath the Atlantic Ocean, a humpback whale streaks skyward. It bursts into the air and then vanishes beneath the waves with a sparkling splash. Although whales are mammals, and not fish, they are comfortably at home in the water. But scientists have discovered something surprising about these water lovers . . . Their ancient ancestors lived on land. Here’s what the whales’ earliest known relative looked like:

By studying fossils and DNA evidence, scientists have learned much about the whales’ journey from land to sea.

They have also figured who the whales’ closest living relative is.

Do you think it's the beaver? — Do you think it’s the beaver?

You can find the answer in my Scholastic story, THE WHALES’ VOYAGE.

To get the fascinating facts, I interviewed John Flynn, of the American Museum of Natural History. Flynn is co-curator of the exhibition, “Whales: Giants of the Deep.” The exhibition leads visitors on adventures with models of these mighty creatures. Visitors can take a virtual dive with a sperm whale as it hunts for giant squid. Or they can crawl through a car-size replica of a blue whale’s heart. To learn more:

AMNH EXHIBITION

You can view or download my new school program brochure:

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

See our photography web site: http://www.agpix.com/cohen

December 12, 2013 0

Judith Jango-Cohen

Nonfiction Author and Photographer

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Science Snippet: The Perfect Pizza

Craneville School Salute!

Author Program/School Visit Video

Delightful Day at Dennett

Summer of the Glacier

Science Snippet: Poison Power

Macomber School Visit

Adjective in Detail Poems

The Whales’ Voyage

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