This Strange House in Milton, Wisconsin Was Once a Station on the Underground Railroad

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 10

Many people are familiar with the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman, but few are aware of the Milton House. The Milton House was created by Joseph Goodrich, who is often credited with founding the whole town of Milton, Wisconsin.

In 1838, Joseph Goodrich, along with his family and nine others, arrived in what would soon become the Wisconsin town of Milton. Goodrich came from Alfred, New York. He had sold his business and land in Alfred so he could bring his family with him to Wisconsin.

Goodrich ran an inn and a store in two separate framed buildings before they eventually combined in 1844. The structure consisted of a hexagonal, two-story building that served as a stagecoach inn and a five-unit, two-story structure named the Block. The Block offered business rental space on the first floor, as well as rentable living space on the second floor. In 1867, Goodrich and his son Ezra added a third floor to the Block due to the growing and succeeding business. The inn was then renamed to the Milton House. [Read More]

How the Industrial Revolution Changed the World Forever

by Kai Palreddy-Lowe, age 11

The Industrial Revolution was a very important event in history. It changed the way things were produced, and it accelerated the production process. It had both positive and negative effects and altered the way we live today. If not for the Industrial Revolution, many of the little things we do every day would not be easy or even possible.

The Industrial Revolution changed how things were created and often made them easier to produce. Before the Revolution, workers had to produce goods by hand which took a long time compared to making products with machines. The creation of new machines increased the speed of industrial production. The Revolution also affected other types of production. In the farming industry, farmers invented machines that made planting and harvesting much faster and easier than before.

While the Industrial Revolution made production easier, working in factories came with problems for the employees. The cities inhabited by workers were often too crowded and dirty, and the work they performed was sometimes dangerous. The factory employees were often not paid well by the rich owners, the worker’s low wages were an attempt by the owners to gain more money. Workers were able to advocate for better conditions through organizations called labor unions. Labor unions lobbied for laws that limited workers’ hours and raised their wages. [Read More]

What You Need to Know to Grow Marigolds

by Celestia McPark, age 7

Marigolds are vivid, colorful flowers that are edible. There are three common types of marigolds: the African, French, and Signet. Although these are widespread species, only a couple are consumable, such as Pot, French, and Signet.

While marigolds are native to Mexico and Central America, they have flexible growing conditions compared to most other flowers, making them suitable for all. However, this does not mean that they can survive anywhere.

Marigolds need full sunlight for about eight hours. Their soil is unique and must be well-drained because they live in drier conditions than wetlands. They need the soil temperature to be more than 18 degrees. [Read More]

Recent California Wildfires Threaten Sequoia Forests

by Sylvia Hoks, age 11

Over the past few years, numerous wildfires have burned in California. As a result, the smoke from them has spread all across America due to climate change. Many houses have been destroyed, as well as portions of California’s sequoia forests. Lightning-sparked fires, such as the Garnet Fire, have burned down a large number of sequoias. It has scorched mainly rural areas of California, including multiple forests. Authorities are instructing evacuations for thousands of homes because this fire has already spread over 54,000 acres.

Sequoias are majestic, ancient trees; some are estimated to be over 3,000 years old. They are naturally grown in the western part of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in a 260-mile forest line. Sequoias can also grow way taller than 300 feet, towering over many other trees in California. These strong, sturdy, invincible trees have never been burnt down before 2015, but are now being incinerated at a rapid rate. It is estimated that approximately all sequoias four feet in diameter have been destroyed in the fires. Many more were lost when wildfires destroyed 27 groves, which is about a third, in California.

Many wildfires are connected to climate change. Burning fossil fuels, like coal and gas, not only pollute the Earth but also cause temperatures to rise, making wildfires more likely to occur. More droughts, heat waves, and dry lightning are also contributing to wildfires that have led to the destruction of many homes. [Read More]

The Lammergeier: A Bone-Eating Scavenger from Central Asia

by Lucas Abiy, age 8

Did you know there is a bird that can eat and digest bones? They are called Lammergeiers.

The true size of the Lammergeier's beak is hidden by its long, stiff bristles. In fact, the bristles are hiding nearly three inches of its beak! While the beak is a way for these birds to carry food, their big feet, muscular toes, and sharp, curved talons are important for holding food as well.

Other vultures have bare heads and necks. However, Lammergeier has light orange feathers and often gets confused with the Egyptian vulture due to their similar colors. One way to differentiate them is that the Lammergier has black circles around its eyes that lead to its beak, and the Egyptian vulture is smaller and has white feathers. [Read More]

The Dramatic Hognose Snake Likes to Play Dead

by Coraline Esme Simkins, age 10

There is a snake species considered to be very dramatic. This species is known as the hognose snake. The Hognose's scientific name is Heterodon platirhinos. Hognoses are very popular for their theatrical defense. When they are threatened, they flatten their heads and wiggle their tails to resemble a rattlesnake. The hognose might even strike, but they won't actually bite. Although they are mildly venomous, they only use their venom to hunt.

If acting like a rattlesnake doesn't work, hognose snakes will flip over, open their mouth, and stick out their tongues to play dead. They can even throw up their food and release a putrid odor. Sometimes they will pop a blood vessel to look like they are bleeding. The hognose will stay there and wiggle until it knows you are not a threat.

A female hognose lays a clutch of 15 to 27 eggs, which can take up to two months to hatch. They can grow up to 20 or 30 inches long, and some can reach 46 inches. [Read More]

Mounds View Grassland Is an Amazing Land Trust Nature Preserve in Southwest Wisconsin

by Thea Kaufman, age 10

Mounds View Grassland is not considered a state or national park, but it is a really lovely habitat for endangered species like birds and highly threatened animals like bison. The preserve has been running for at least 35 years. There are numerous activities that people can do including hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing.

The Mounds View Grassland is a 500-acre preserve owned by the Prairie Enthusiasts. In the prairie, there are a couple of oak groves, cold water streams, and areas of dense brush. The Mounds View Grassland is gradually being restored to preserve wildlife and highly threatened ecosystems. There, you can find Wisconsin's state animal: the badger. You can also find animals like coyotes, red-headed woodpeckers, yellow-breasted chats, and more friendly creatures. In the Mounds View Grassland, if you listen carefully, you can hear the whistle of the upland sandpiper. If you were to bring a pair of binoculars, you can see birds and bison in the area. It is located in southwestern Wisconsin near Barneveld and Blue Mounds.

A larger part of Mounds View Grassland, the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area (MRPHA), spans over 95,000 acres of grassland in southwest Wisconsin. This area is home to 14 uncommon bird species. It has over 60 prairie remnants, which is one of the most concentrated areas of grasslands in the Midwest. The Mounds View Grassland contains the most important prairie sod and grassland bird habitats inside the MRPHA. Mounds View Grassland protects the regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) and other endangered avian species, including the bobolink, upland sandpiper, and the bell’s vireo. [Read More]

Capybaras: The World's Largest Rodent

by Celestia McPark, age 7

Capybaras are similar to beavers but bigger; they are mammals and herbivores. They are peculiar, fascinating creatures, and their scientific name is Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris.

A capybara's diet consists of different plants. However, azalea, chinaberry, sweetened things, and artificial flavors are toxic to them. Capybaras also graze on aquatic vegetation and grasses. They are the largest rodents in the world, and they are sometimes hunted for their distinctive skin and hair.

Capybaras live in forests, flooded savannas, and wetlands. Some people may mistakenly think that capybaras are amphibians, but they are not; they are semi-aquatic mammals. Their webbed toes help them swim, and their brown, spindly fur dries quickly, allowing them to navigate water spaces. They are native to South America but are invasive in Florida. [Read More]

How the Brain Stores and Retrieves Memories

by Dellany Onyango, age 9

A memory is a record of information that your brain considers important and saves. Memories can last five seconds or five years. Three parts of the brain help with memory: the amygdala, the cerebral cortex, and the hippocampus.

The hippocampus, located in the cerebral cortex, is the part of the brain that stores memories. An undamaged memory gathers information like the current day or time and retains it for later use. When the brain receives data, it decides which pieces are important. This process involves three steps: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Encoding is when your brain takes in information from your environment and converts it into a form that can be stored. Then, your brain stores that encoded information for future use, which is called storage. The final part of memory is retrieval, which brings stored information back out of storage in three ways: recall, recognition, and relearning. Recall involves actively remembering something without environmental cues. Recognition occurs when your surroundings trigger your memory. Relearning happens when you remember information faster and more easily the second time you learn it. [Read More]

The Clever Tricks Flowers Use to Attract Pollinators

by Delia Moreno, age 7

Flowers have adapted in many unique ways to attract pollinators. Some of these characteristics include landing platforms for insects, brightly colored petals, and leaves or structures with special shapes to make sure insects are covered in pollen.

Plants need to spread pollen to reproduce. Pollen is often sticky, and when insects land on a flower, it clings to their bodies. These insects then transfer pollen to another flower, allowing reproduction to occur.

One of many ways flowers attract pollinators is through creating unique platforms for insects to land on. Specifically, on some flowers, petals at the base of the bloom serve as a landing station. When an insect lands, its weight can trigger a spring-like mechanism in the flower, causing the release of pollen. [Read More]

The Vikings Used Ships to Prepare for the Afterlife

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 10

Vikings not only used their boats for living and traveling, but also for preparing the dead. Much like Egyptians buried mummies in pyramids, Vikings, at times, entombed the dead in their ships.

The Vikings were people who explored the world using boats. A ship called the Oseberg ship was discovered in Norway in 1904. Experts reassembled the ship, finishing their work by 1926. It was in very good shape, even though it was used and made about 1,100 years before it was found. It was entirely made of oak wood, while the paddles were made of pine wood. The boat was unique due to the carvings on its stern and bow.

The Oseberg ship had a length of 70 feet and a width of 17 feet. The area of the ship was a surprising 1,190 square feet for only two people. It had very large oars. Viking ships could go very fast with sails due to their shape. The ships had great durability. [Read More]

Lotería Is More Than a Game, It Is a Mexican Tradition

by Marco Flores, age 11

Lotería is a fast-paced game of chance and also a tradition in Latin American countries.

Lotería is similar to bingo, in which the objective of the game is to fill up your entire card. One person is assigned as “el cantor” and is responsible for calling out the cards. If you have one of the images on your card, you put a bean or a coin on that spot. If you are the first person to fill up your entire card, you shout “¡Lotería!” and win the prize money or candy. The word "lotería" directly translates to lottery.

Lotería originated in Italy in the 15th century as a lottery-style game, then spread to Spain, and later to New Spain, which is now Mexico. Some people connect its popularity in Mexico to the much older Aztec game called Patolli, which also involved beans and chance, but historians note that Lotería itself came later through Spain. [Read More]

Animals That Scare to Survive

by Edna Torres, age 6

Some animals will often make themselves appear intimidating to protect their lives. For example, some animals will roar or enlarge their bodies to defend themselves.

One creature that does this is the male stag beetle. These beetles have large, impressive jaws, but can’t actually bite with them. Instead, they use their jaws to fight other males for mating rights.

Another creature with daunting features is the frilled lizard. This lizard is not harmful but can be intimidating when it is threatened. This lizard spreads its frills wide, creating a large, frightening appearance to scare off predators. [Read More]

Recycling Turns Waste Into New Possibilities

by Dellany Onyango, age 10

Every year, Americans generate millions of tons of garbage, which slowly decomposes in landfills and causes pollution of land, water, and air. Recycling is a way to reduce that problem.

Recycling is a process that turns certain household items into new products. Many things can be recycled, including paper, glass, aluminum, and certain plastics. It is cost-effective because the materials can be reused for future products. Recycling also helps preserve natural resources. Composting is a process similar to recycling, as it gives food scraps a second life by turning them into fertilizer that improves soil health.

Items that can be recycled are usually made of metal, plastic, or glass, provided they are clean. For the safety of the workers, recycling facilities encourage the public to avoid putting broken glass in recycling bins. Some unrecyclable items include coated paper products, most Styrofoam, food wrappers, and food-soiled products. [Read More]

The Royal Standard Signals the Monarch’s Presence

by Marco Flores, age: 11

The Royal Standard flag is used in the UK to let others know that a king or queen is present. The Royal Standard has four quarters.

The top left and bottom right depict three golden lions passant guardant, which is the Royal Banner of England. The top right quarter shows a red rampant lion on a yellow background, which is the Royal Banner of Scotland. The last quarter shows a golden harp on blue, which is the Royal Banner of Ireland.

The Royal Standard is usually placed on the top of castles, Buckingham Palace, other royal residences, or on the vehicle of a king or queen. In the UK, the Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast when a monarch dies, unlike in the US, where the national flag is flown at half-mast to honor a deceased president. [Read More]

High Up in the Mountains Pikas Make Their Home

by Isabella Flores, age 7

The American Pika, or the Ochotona princeps, is a rodent-like mammal. This animal lives in North America. Their habitat is located in alpine terrain, high up in caves and cliffs, west of the Rocky Mountains.

Pikas have black and brown fur, which helps them camouflage among objects of similar colors, such as rocks. Their ears are shaped like half a heart, and they have a thick layer of fur covering their tails.

Pikas collect flowers, grass, and weeds to survive during the winter. During summer, they lay plants in the sun to dry out before storing them in their dens so they don’t rot during the winter. Pikas live in groups inside caves to protect each other. They alert one another of predators such as hawks, weasels, and coyotes by making a high-pitched squeak. [Read More]

The Rare "Walking Fish" of Mexico’s Lakes

by Edna Torres, age 7

The axolotl is a type of salamander native to Mexico. They are commonly found in the freshwater lakes of Xochimilco and Chalco. This fascinating creature is not only rare and protected, but it also has biological abilities that continue to amaze scientists and nature lovers.

The scientific name for the axolotl is Ambystoma mexicanum. Despite these creatures being amphibians they don't develop in the same way as other amphibians such as frogs. Typically, amphibians start as eggs and hatch into a larval stage, such as tadpoles, and then grow into creatures such as frogs. However, due to their genetics, axolotls physically stay in their larval stage through adulthood.

Axolotls are usually brown, black-grey, or light pink. They can grow between six inches and 18 inches long and weigh approximately eight to 11 ounces. These creatures have a long tail, a flat head, and four lizard-like limbs. Axolotls spend most of their lives underwater water and have gills however they are not fish. Due to their aquatic habitats and lizard-like features, axolotls are often referred to as "walking fish". [Read More]

Wisconsin or Miss Forward?

Which Statue Is Which?

by Semaia Zerezghi, age 10

Who is the statue atop the Wisconsin State Capitol? She might not be who you think she is, and you might find the truth surprising. [Read More]

Two Spiky Brothers Move Into Madison's Zoo

by Gerard Sanchez, age 10

Two new porcupines are living in Madison, Wisconsin. Brothers Hami and Nugget have officially moved into the Henry Vilas Zoo!

They are a special type of porcupine called a cape porcupine. This species of porcupine can grow striped and hollow quills that are up to 12 inches long! They tend to live in the rocky areas of central and southern Africa and are the largest rodent in Africa! Underneath their quills, cape porcupines are not all that big.

Cape porcupines' long quills serve as a defensive mechanism and help these creatures look larger and scarier than they are. These porcupines shake their quills when they feel threatened and make a loud, hissing sound. The cape porcupine’s quills are sharp and made of keratin, which is the same protein that composes human hair and nails. [Read More]

Henry Vilas Zoo Helps Save the Red Panda

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

With their unique anatomy and small size, red pandas look a little different than their giant black and white cousins. This furry animal is endangered and Madison’s local zoo is trying to help them. Some of the reasons these animals are endangered are because of habitat loss, human interference, and poachers that kill them for their fur.

These small pandas are native to several countries including Nepal, China, and India. They are also native to one of Asia’s well-known high forests, the Himalayan Mountains. Their scientific name is Ailurus Fulgens, which means “fire cat.” [Read More]

Sugar Gliders Are Tiny Flyers With a Sweet Tooth

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

This creature glides through the night sky but it's not a bat or owl. It is often mistaken for a flying squirrel. It's the sugar glider, a fascinating animal with a sweet tooth! [Read More]

More than a Name: The Legacy of Dr. Virginia Henderson

by Cristian Cruz

Virginia Henderson was a philanthropist, activist, teacher, and community leader. Shortly after she passed away, the Madison School Board voted unanimously to rename Glendale Elementary School in her honor. This recognition represented the community's love and appreciation for everything Dr. Virginia Henderson accomplished.

Now, Simpson Street Free Press has launched an all new Virginia Henderson Free Press publication. But who was Dr. Virginia Henderson?

I was 10-years old when I first met Virginia Henderson. I was a middle school staff writer at Simpson Street Free Press and Virginia was a member of our board of directors. She always took the time to talk with us and encourage us. And she always supported our work. I still remember how she would ask us, the students, about our articles and what we were working on. Dr. Henderson talked to us about the importance of writing and academic achievement; always with a warm and caring tone. Each year, at the Women In Focus – “I Have a Dream Ball,” Virginia would welcome us and make us feel special. For us, getting to see Dr. Henderson was always one of the highlights of the event. [Read More]

Toucans Are More Than Just Big Bills and Bright Feathers

by Kai Shade, age 8

There are roughly 10,000 species of birds always moving around the world. Birds, in general, are the descendants of feathered dinosaurs from long ago, and their limbs turned into wings over time. There are two types of feathers. One is the strong-stalked “contour.” where are the outer feathers. Beneath the contour feather are fluffier “down” feathers, which keep birds warm.

Toucans are a very friendly and fun species of birds. Toucans primarily eat fruit and use their large beaks to pluck these fruits from tree branches. While their beaks are very large – even bigger than their heads – they are very lightweight and not made of solid bone. Instead, these beaks are filled with spongy tissue. [Read More]

How Deep Sea Fish Use Light to Survive in the Dark

by Edna Torres, age 6

Many deep sea fish use light-producing organs to survive since the sun cannot reach the deeper level of the sea.

There are many fish that live in the deep sea, like lanternfish, hatcherfish, and anglerfish. These fish are intriguing and interesting because they don’t act like typical fish. [Read More]

The Fastest Land Animal Faces High Risk of Extinction

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world, however they cannot outrun their high risk of extinction due to human activity. Reporters in Eastern Africa have gathered information about the cheetah blackmarket from interviewing people who have allegedly sold them. They say cheetahs are sold as pets, poached for their skin, and illegally traded. Eastern Africa is where most of the illegal trade occurs. Due to this, most of the cheetah population has declined. [Read More]

Frogs Around the World Show Amazing Ways to Survive

by Isabella Flores, age 7

Frogs come from all over the world, living in dry environments such as deserts and very wet ecosystems like rainforests. While there are some poisonous frogs, many are harmless. Frogs eat various small insects, worms, and even larger species like mice and snakes.

One well-known frog is the red-eyed tree frog. These frogs specifically camouflage themselves in rainforest trees to hide from predators. They hide all their bright colors by shutting their eyes, covering their blue sides with their legs, and tucking in their bright orange feet beneath their bellies. The red-eyed tree frog has sticky pads on its feet for climbing and its long strong legs help it jump between branches. [Read More]

Bush Vipers Are Camouflaged Predators with a Venomous Bite

by Gerardo Sanchez Ramirez, age 10

Bush vipers are incredible snakes that have unique physical features and characteristics.

The scales of a bush viper are ridged and help the snake grip to surfaces. Their scales range in many colors from green and brown to yellow and black. These snakes rely on their color and scale patterns to camouflage and avoid detection. Bush vipers have large round eyes with vertical pupils. Their eyes are well adapted to help them find prey in dim lighting. Bush vipers have broad triangular heads; this head shape helps accommodate the space needed for their large salivary glands that produce and store their venom. Similar to other snakes, the bush viper uses its tongue to track its prey. It occasionally flickers its tongue to capture the scent molecules emitted from other creatures. [Read More]

Cottonmouth Snakes: Powerful Swampland Predator

by Sessina Zerezghi, age 7

The cottonmouth snake is a dangerous reptile. It has fast reflexes, strong jaws, and poisonous venom. The bulky coils of its body are full of strong muscles.

The cottonmouth lives in swamplands and near water in the southeast United States. Cottonmouths stay in water and hunt goldfish and frogs. They also consume tadpoles, reptiles, birds, and small mammals such as rats and mice. [Read More]

Small Caterpillars, Big Transformations

by Dilma Attidekou, age 10

Caterpillars are small insects that shapeshift into bigger insects known as butterflies.

Caterpillars, also known as butterfly larvae, have big heads and strong jaws. They use these parts as tools for cutting up food. Their bodies are split into 13 segments. The rear part of the caterpillar is the abdomen and the front is the thorax. [Read More]

Giant Turtles Once Roamed Through South America

by Aarosh Subedi, age 10

The extinct turtle called the Carbonemys roamed around what is now known as Colombia 60 million years ago. It was a massive side-neck turtle. Its scientific name is Carbonemys cofrinii or coal turtle, which is fitting since its fossil was discovered in a coal mine. In 2005, the fossil was discovered in Colombia by paleontologist Edwin Cadena. This turtle was the largest turtle species in the area at the time. Their average length was five foot seven inches. [Read More]