the sixth planet 01.27.2022 Written by Dash Is Saturn just a planet with a ring around it? Keep this question in mind as you read. Saturn is the sixth planet farthest away from the sun, and it resides in the solar system. Using Astronomical Units, (AU) it’s approximately 9.5 AU away from the sun (1 AU is equivalent to the distance from the centre of the Earth to the centre of the Sun). Saturn is famous for its rings, which are made out of asteroids, dust particles, and ice. The rings surround Saturn’s equator, and it doesn’t seem like they’re moving anytime soon. Something you may not have known about Saturn is that alongside the other planets, he too was named after a Roman god. Specifically, The Roman God of Agriculture and Wealth (A.k.a The father of Jupiter). Although agriculture requires Earth-like grounds, it’s definite that Saturn is a Gas Giant and will always be a Gas Giant. Saturn completes his orbit around the sun in 11 hours. However, one year on Saturn is equal to 29 years on Earth. Saturn has many moons in its orbit, 53 of which have been permanently confirmed and 29 have been temporarily suspected. In light of the fact that Saturn is tilted on its axis at 26.73 degrees, Saturn also experiences seasons, similar to Earth. So, what do you think? Is Saturn just a “ring planet” or is it something more? Citations NASA. (2021, August 18). In depth. NASA. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/saturn/in-depth/

01.29.2022 Written by Trinity Thompson Look, motivation for school is hard to find at the best of times, but when you are stuck at your desk, staring at a screen day in and day out, motivation is a needle in a haystack. When it is not downright frustrating or eye-wateringly boring, online school is doing its best to steadily chip away at a student's mental state. Online school has managed to make students even less engaged than the last day of school – little to no interaction over the google meet, where productivity plummets. Without being able to socialize at school, days begin to blend together as they seem monotonous and mundane. Without a clear end in sight to this state of affairs, it becomes a cycle, a never-ending feedback loop. Teachers who try their best to keep their students engaged and students find themselves struggling to start last week’s assignment. Teachers and students alike have shared their dislike for this school model and yet this remains the safest option for whenever cases begin to peak. It is a necessary plight, even if now it is less appealing than it was in early 2020. Virtual school has dulled over the past twenty-four months. Nearly two years ago, the idea of rolling out of bed just before school started, eating during class, and staying on your phone seemed like a gift in an uncertain and confusing time. Students, administrators, and parents are hoping the process either evolves to a point where it is not so devastating, or we go back to a time where it was never an option. online school - boring but necessary

01.29.2022 Written by Vibishan Suthaharan Mexico, a country full of culture, diversity, and individuality houses a dream vacation. Whether it's relaxing resort-side on its peninsula, or sightseeing one of the biggest and most populous cities in the Western Hemisphere, this country has it all. The beaches, food, people, weather, and the overall ambiance of the country made the experience worthwhile. To start off, the weather was the first noticeable aspect of the trip. The sun was out, and the sky was as clear as water. This was a pleasant change from the freezing, snowy climate up north. Once I arrived at the resort, I was amazed by the open layout and the intricate architecture instead of a block building. The staff greeted me with kindness and once we were booked in, I explored the resort fully. I started with the 8 culturally diverse restaurants, the 11 different pools and the entertainment provided specifically for teens! Each day of the trip we tried a different restaurant, and none of them disappointed. The servers, workers and waiters all treated us with such amiability that we tipped each and every one for their service. However, the one aspect of the trip that I truly enjoyed was the beach. From taking in the fresh sea breeze early during sunrise, savoring the warm, clear ocean-green saltwater, or enjoying the sunset on the white sand beach, Mexico just outdid itself! cancun, mexico.

cyber-depression 01.12.2022 Written by Jeevanr Inbasagaran One of the greatest blessings humans have during this global pandemic is connectivity. It keeps us from falling into a dark void of loneliness and the conversations we are able to have via text, phone calls and video calls allow us to maintain relationships and persevere during these difficult times. However, what if I told you that these same apps and social media are the source for the unhappiness that lingers and haunts teenagers today? In several studies, teenage and young adult users who spend the most time on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook were shown to have a higher rate of reported depression than those who spent the least time. Although the usage of these apps are not directly causing any mental health issues, they target our vulnerabilities as human beings by creating a fear of missing out (often referred to as ‘FOMO’), and superficial connections that weaken our social ability. The fear of missing out is something extremely present with social media usage that makes teens prioritize shallow social interactions. According to Jerry Bubrick, a clinical psychologist, “FOMO is really the fear of not being connected to our social world, and that need to feel connected sometimes trumps whatever’s going on in the actual situation we’re in.” Seeing a multitude of people sharing the highlights of their lives on these platforms, teenagers believe that they are left out and gradually damage their mental health. Additionally, the lack of real, empathetic connections cause a lack of the benefits that are gained from a healthy social interaction. These superficial connections make people feel less connected directly leading to depression, anxiety and more mental health problems. Overall, our vulnerabilities are amplified with social media usage and the best way to prevent these problems is to seek real connections, rather than prioritize empty interactions. Therefore, I encourage you all to spend some time off your devices and see the world in a greater light. Citations Does social media use cause depression? Child Mind Institute. (2021, November 17). Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-causing-depression/

01.16.2022 Written by Sarvesh Sahota In recent times, there has been a push to see minorities in positions of authority, and although recruiters state they have equal opportunity policies, how severely are they being implemented? Canada’s largest province, Ontario, boasts itself for being the most ethno-racially diverse region in the world, yet high-position careers are severely lacking in this diversity. In 2017, Ontario reported that the top 25 highest-paid public-sector employees were all visibly White. Although many recruiters advertise that they “strive to hire equally” this may only be true for entry-level positions, as many argue that minorities are hired to prove this policy while majority members still hold high-level positions. In their 2017 review, Ontario’s 3rd largest school board, YRDSB, revealed that racism; specifically Islamophobia, was prevalent among senior leaders. Stereotypes may lead the public to believe minorities are unqualified to be in such positions, however, this could not be farther than the truth as they are just as qualified. Ultimately, all individuals deserve to be supervised by a group as equally diverse as them. Management of corporations must be willing to hire intersectionalized staff at influential positions, rather than just accepting these individuals for amateur duties. equality in the world of work

don't look up! 01.27.2022 Written by Sameer Varma I was recently watching the movie “Don’t Look Up” by Adam McKay on Netflix, and it made me think. What if a meteor were to come to Earth? Imagine a full on, planet-sized asteroid, coming straight at Earth at a record breaking speed. Now, the plot of the movie is rather interesting. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, playing the role of two astronomers who are advocating for saving the earth against a ginormous meteor, while the American government is completely against it. Well, if a meteor were to come full speed at earth, what would the factors be concerning whether or not we get completely obliterated? Millions of years ago, a super large asteroid, the size of about 10 kilometers, hit Pangea, the supercontinent, wiping out all three quarters of the planet’s animal and plant species. Scientists speculate that if an asteroid the size of this were to impact earth, mass extinction would occur again. Scary right? However, an asteroid of that magnitude is not likely to come to Earth. The biggest asteroids are in orbit between Mars and Jupiter, the biggest being about 530 kilometers in diameter. It's laughable though, because an asteroid with a diameter of 20 kilometers hits earth an average of every 22 million years. In conclusion, there is not really much to worry about! The fact of the matter is, most near-earth-objects are not substantial enough to wipe out the whole human race. However, it is best to prepare. Nasa and other government space agencies are working on planetary defenses in the case of a significant finding. We are talking asteroid deflection tests, gravitational tractor beams, and asteroid missiles. The funding is low, but we as a civilization are working towards finding a way not to end up as the dinosaurs once were. Pangea, you are no more! Citations "Meteors & Meteorites.” NASA, NASA, 6 May 2021, https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/meteors-and-meteorites/overview/?page=0&per_page=40&order=id%2Basc&search=&condition_1=meteor_shower%3Abody_type.

01.12.2022 Written by Emma Kang Do you ever wish you could see the stars? I mean, besides simply spotting one or two lonely specks of light. When night falls, I want to see hundreds upon thousands of soft, glowing space shards strewn across a dark backdrop, like a mosaic of all the most priceless diamonds. However, we can not do this. The night sky, is one of nature’s most beautiful paintings, and we have nearly damaged it beyond repair. Stars are a few of the only things in space that are visible to the naked eye, and the only indication that we do not walk alone. We know that there is more out there. But, what if, when we can not see the stars anymore, we are truly on our own? How many of us would crack, living in a world where we are enveloped by darkness? If we can not take care of something as precious as our stars, what does that say about us? the starry sky

01.30.2022 Written by Justina So The city where the first skyscraper was built, Chicago is known for its infamous skyline and contribution to modern architecture. Chicago is built around the Chicago river, next to Lake Michigan. The waterway was used for transporting goods, boosting the economy, connecting the city’s infrastructure to the Great Lakes, and was a sustainable source of drinking water. The river helped establish Chicago’s growing economy, population, and environment. To this day, the Chicago river remains a way of transportation, mainly for tourist attractions and boat tours to learn about the history of Chicago architecture. After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that burnt a large portion of downtown Chicago and threatened the infrastructure of the city, changes needed to be made in order to recover. With limited land and money, it became a challenge of urban planning to rebuild after the fire. Now that Chicago’s land was empty, it gave urban planners and architects a chance to experiment with new structures. The only solution with the circumstances was to build towards the sky. William LeBaron Jenney, among other architects and engineers, became well known for their innovative contributions to modern structures. Jenney built the first ever skyscraper in Chicago in 1885, called the Home Insurance Building. The building revolutionized architecture for the future; it was one of the first buildings to be made of primarily iron and steel and had 10 storeys. Using this style of architecture to progress recovery for Chicago, the city’s environmental, social, and economical status flourished as a result. Skyscrapers began to appear elsewhere worldwide after seeing the success of Chicago’s innovative architecture. As of today, the Home Insurance Building no longer exists, but other infamous skyscrapers such as the Willis Tower (previously named the Sears Tower), John Hancock Center, and the Aqua Tower stand today, a product of the modern architecture created in Chicago. Citations History.com Editors. “Home Insurance Building.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 22 Apr. 2010, https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/home-insurance-building. Koziarz, Jay. “Transportation That Built Chicago: The River System.” Curbed Chicago, Curbed Chicago, 19 Sept. 2017, https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/9/19/16332590/transportation-chicago-river-history-future. “History of Chicago Architecture.” Study.com, 2 July. 2016, https://study.com/academy/lesson/history-of-chicago-architecture.html. the birthplace of modern architecture

2022 tech releases 01.27.2022 Written by Iman Khan As the new year begins, new and innovative technology is also being invented and/or updated. Various gadgets are on track to being released soon, from smart home electronics to updated video games. Below are a few technologies and advancements set to be released in 2022 … 1. Playstation VR2 Sony released the news of their new advancement for the PS5. They hope to release a 4k virtual reality headset. It’s wired and powered by the Playstation 5 and has eye tracking with foveated vision, providing a blur around the line of sight. 2. Schlage encode plus Schlage announces the first ever Apple home key this year. Essentially, it is a built-in NFC chip which allows IOS users to unlock and lock. It’s said to have 2 modes, “Express mode”, which does not require any sort of authentication, and “Require face ID and/or passcode” mode. It also unlocks even when your device is out of battery through the power reserve feature. 3. Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Light This smart light uses wifi and bluetooth to access smart control through their app, as well as voice assistants. It not only automates bedtime, but also tracks sleep by monitoring vitals such as body temperature and heart rate. These are only a few gadgets set to come out in 2022. There is more innovative tech currently in the works, as well as some that have not yet been announced. The new tech that’s about to come out will create trends and advancements in the future that will stand through many years to come. Sources: Citations: Fenollol, Hunter. “Best of CES 2022: The Most Noteworthy New Tech This Year.” Popular Mechanics , 8 Jan. 2022, https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a38501486/best-tech-ces-2022-gadgets/. Lang, Ben. “PSVR vs. PSVR 2 – How Far Has PlayStation VR Come since 2016?” Road to VR , 10 Jan. 2022, https://www.roadtovr.com/psvr-vs-psvr-2-specs-comparison-playstation-vr-2/. Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison. “Schlage Announces First Apple Home Key-Compatible Smart Lock.” The Verge, The Verge, 4 Jan. 2022, https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/4/22860197/apple-home-key-schlage-encode-plus-smart-door-lock-thread-ces2022.

01.29.2022 Written by Venisha Punjabi Climate change is an issue that many are aware about. After years of putting it to the side, the effects of climate change are becoming harder to ignore. One such example of this is The Sahara Desert, generally acknowledged as the world's driest desert and located in North Africa. According to new photos shared on social media, it recently snowed in this desert., shocking many. This is one of the few instances in this area when it has snowed. As per records, snow was last seen in 1979, 2017, 2018, and 2021. This explicitly demonstrates how global warming will have a substantial impact on our future. According to one scientific study published in the Journal Science, extreme cold weather events are a direct result of the Arctic warming. Even though this study took place in the United States, it is anticipated that cold waves will be a more frequent consequence. Furthermore, according to the World Economic Forum, the study's findings "highlight another reason to rapidly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming." This is just more proof of how the changing climate is shaping our future. How do we intend to deal with such deteriorating conditions in the future? What can we, as individuals, do to lend a hand? Citations Campbell, Maeve. “Why Is It Snowing in the Sahara Desert?” Euronews, 23 Jan. 2022, https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/01/23/snow-falls-in-the-sahara-desert-for-the-fifth-time-in-40-years. the planet is dying

01.30.2022 Written by Srithaja Akella Throughout history, there have been many influential figures part of the LGBTQ+ community that have helped shape the way the world is. However, simply because of who they are, they have been cast aside by many, no matter how big their impact was on history. Out of these people, one particular individual that helped was a part of the civil rights movement is Bayard Rustin. Bayard Rustin lived a simple life. He was born in March of 1912 and was raised by his grandparents. His grandmother was part of an organization called the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, so he was frequently exposed to many great leaders such as W. E. B. Du Bois. He went to the City College of New York in the 1930s and later was delegated as youth organizer for the March on Washington. He also joined many different organizations, such as Fellowship of Reconciliation, Congress of Racial Equality, and many more, along with workshops and campaigns. After this, he traveled to India to study about Gandhi’s ideology, and later went to Africa to work on independence movements with the American Friends Committee. However, he soon was forced to give up responsibility when he was arrested, for his homosexuality. This arrest was one of many that he had faced. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rustin was a close aide for Martin Luther King, and supported him. He also used his previous knowledge of Gandhi’s strategies and proposed non-violence, as well as other ideas such as this. He subsequently formed many organizations with the help of King, such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom, and Youth Marches for Integrated Schools. Even though many people were apprehensive of Rustin, he was made deputy director of the March on Washington, in which he was a key aspect. He finally worked as a president for the A. Philip. Randolph Institute, committed to improve racial inequality. In the end, Rustin was a big part of our history. Even though many doubted him and he had many obstacles to overcome, he was involved in one of the biggest civil rights movements and advocated for many important things that have helped us to this day. Citations: “Rustin, Bayard.” The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, 5 Apr. 2018, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/rustin-bayard. LGBTQ+ Rights

01.29.2022 Written by Jeevanr Inbasagaran To someone who knows nothing about life, it is hard to explain why a mess of colours can hold so much meaning or why a jumble of notes and chords could evoke so much emotion. However as human beings, we can not imagine a life without artistic expression within powerful acting, immersive paintings, poignant music or even creative writing. Although art by others can be shared and cherished, there is a much greater pleasure in creating art yourself. Everyone should form art, as it allows people, regardless of social or environmental barriers to express themselves and feel engaged with others. Creating art can also be seen as utilising a medium to express emotions or ideologies. People who are struggling can find a way to focus and direct their negative energy into their artwork. Countless studies have proved this to be extremely effective in relieving mental and physical wellbeing. Art can bring people joy through a sense of accomplishment and seeing part of their identities reflected in their work. On top of that, sharing their expressive pieces allows them to develop social connections through different mediums. Overall, during the lengthy pandemic, it could be beneficial to get involved with art, as it is the most timeless form of therapy. Citations Eirsing, D. (2021, November 11). How arts can help improve your mental health. Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/how-arts-can-help-improve-your-mental-health#:~:text=As%20we've%20noted%3A%20engaging,alleviates%20anxiety%2C%20depression%20and%20stress. how art functions as a therapy