(Describer) On a dark blue background with light blue strobes, a ring of news images rotates around planet Earth.

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(Describer) Title: Teen Kids News. Created by Albert T. Primo.

Hi, and welcome to "Teen Kids News." I'm Lylah. We've got a lot to cover in this week's show, so let's get started. Here's our top story.

(Describer) Curved screens with the Teen Kids News logo form a turning cylinder. Title: Top Story.

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A famous person once said that, "Some people see things "as they are and ask, 'Why?' Others dream of things that never were and ask, 'Why not'?" That pretty much describes the philosophy of the teen Alexandra is about to introduce us to. That's correct. When she was 16, Adrianna Zhang saw that there was a gap between what students were learning in school and what more they needed to learn to be able to live successful lives. Rather than ask "Why?" this is the case, Adrianna dreamt up a way to fix the problem. She started a community organization in her hometown of San Francisco. Led by teens, it has a somewhat challenging title: San Francisco Communities Who Help Advance the New Generation of Education. Wow, that's a mouthful! Fortunately, that gets reduced to the more manageable acronym, SF Change. Adrianna, what were the issues that led you to start SF Change? I saw my sister grow up, starting her education journey within the COVID-19 pandemic, and I really saw her struggle. She didn't have as many resources as I thought would've been necessary for a student to really thrive. Furthermore, I saw that with our new generation, our current curriculum does not always cover exactly what we need in life. We really believe that beyond just academics, children, students need to navigate society and the responsibilities given to be not just a good student again, but to be a thoughtful citizen. And so we hope that SF Change would address some of these larger issues beyond what is covered in the curriculum. So what did SF Change do? Well, we started by wanting to understand what our community wanted and needed. And so we did this by creating a survey that eventually received over 1500 responses, asking community members, asking students and teachers: "What kind of topics did you want "to learn about that were not covered in the standard curriculum?" And once you identified topics people felt were missing, you created workshops. For example, workshops on bullying and safety for elementary and middle school students. Definitely. Those times in elementary and middle school are undoubtedly hard for many students. We worked with community organizations to put the bullying and safety curriculum together and eventually delivered it to quite a few classrooms around the city. We generally received really positive responses from students who felt like this was an opportunity to create community with their other students and also learn something new. And for all the grades, you hold workshops on climate change. What's the goal there?

(Adrianna) Climate change really is the issue, in my opinion, of our generation. And the only way that we can all address it is for people to start understanding it and learning about it, being exposed to it at a young age. I agree. You also hold workshops ranging from career options to racial sensitivity. What's the goal you're aiming for?

(Adrianna) The goal with it was really to allow these students to have skills that depending on their background or familial situation or the resources that they have outside of school, may or may not understand. And so, SF Change was going into classrooms at an environment that met students where they were at and provided workshops on topics that they may or may not be learning outside of school. What's been their reaction from the community? It's been really great. I've heard a lot of young people reaching out to me, sending cards about being grateful to be getting these workshops. I think it's also because we took exactly what people said that they would want within the survey and implemented that in real life. That's certainly important. Besides workshops, what else does SF Change do? Besides workshops, we are really wanting to engage with the community as much as possible. So we worked with local elected officials and community leaders to host town halls and events for students to participate in that would give them a voice in the current education system, but also informing the city's budget, for example. Your organization is expanding to more than 13 cities. If any viewers want to get involved, what are you looking for? Yes, we are really excited to be starting new chapters throughout the country, but specifically starting in California. We are looking for people who are excited about education equity, wanting to look for people who want to work in a team, who want to practice leadership, and have the opportunity to start something new. And to learn more, viewers can check out sfchange.org. Adrianna, we wish you a continued success. Thank you. SF Change sums up its mission this way: "Shaping the future we want through the education we need." That logic echoes the words from social rights activists and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." So, let me end this report with how we started it by saying it's not enough to ask, "Why?" If our generation wants to make this a better world, we need to ask, "Why not?" For "Teen Kids News," I'm Alexandra. We've got lots more coming up, so stick around. And during this break, please take a sec to like, follow, and subscribe to our socials so you never miss out on "Teen Kids News." We'll be right back. We can all use some advice on how to do our best in school. So check out our "Make the Grade" report.

(Describer) Christin.

Your JV game ran into overtime, so you were late getting home. It's already nine o'clock and you have a massive paper due in the morning. Sounds like you're about to have a meltdown.

(Describer) She claps her hands to her face.

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All right, it's going to be tough, but here's what study experts suggest you do. Pause, take a deep breath, plan. That means creating a schedule for the night. And allocate-- that means assigning a specific block of time for each section of the paper. Be realistic about how long you can sit at your desk without a break and take short refreshing breaks. Maybe 15 minutes each. Use the time to get a healthy snack, take a shower.

(Describer) She rolls up from the floor.

Maybe even do some sit-ups.

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(Describer) She rolls back.

If you can trust yourself, it's okay to check your Facebook or Instagram, but don't let what's supposed to be a short mental-health break turn into a wasted half hour, or worse. You have two goals: to write the best paper you can, and to get enough sleep so that you're not dragging through class the next day. A wise grandmother used to say, "An hour before midnight is worth two after dawn." I wonder if they had AP courses when she was a kid. I'm Christin, here to help you "Make the Grade."

(Describer) Brendan.

It might be the most valuable planet in the universe. 55 Canri-e is more than twice the size of the Earth. Because it orbits so close to its star, the planet's temperature is incredibly high. That's important because Canri-e is mostly made up of carbon. Expose carbon to high temps and high pressure, and you get diamonds. So some scientists believe as much as a third of the planet might be one humongous diamond. Gives new meaning to the old nursery rhyme, "Twinkle, twinkle little star. "How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky." Unfortunately, 55 Canri-e is 40 light years from Earth. That's a very long way to go, even for a diamond as big as a planet. For "Teen Kids News," I'm Brendan. We want to hear from you. Send us a short comment on the show, and, if you want, send along a photo. Each week we'll feature the best comment on air. We just need your first name and your town or city. Don't go away. There's still more "Teen Kids News" ahead.

(Describer) A spinning logo. Title: Teen Kids News.

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Whether it comes from parents, teachers, friends, or even just from yourself, many of us live with lots of pressure. Sometimes pressure can be good, especially if it motivates us to try harder. But pressure can also have a negative effect, especially if it makes us so afraid of failing that we don't even want to try. This next story is about someone who credits failure for their success.

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(Describer) White letters on a black flip board spin into position. They read: If At First.

(Describer) You Don't Succeed.

(Describer) Emily.

Her name was Hudson-- Katy Hudson. Her debut album reflected her experiences growing up with parents who were pastors. They were strict when it came to music. Rock and pop music were prohibited. She was encouraged to listen to Gospel. As a teenager, she started to write her own songs and record some demos. A record company signed her, and soon she released her first album. For a number of reasons, the album bombed. Only 200 copies were sold. But Katy Hudson didn't let failure stop her. She wrote more music, different music, and changed her name to Katy Perry. She would go on to sell more than 48 million albums and become a judge on "American Idol." Katy's advice: "Grow up, but don't give up." If Katy Perry had let the failure of her first album discourage her, she'd have missed a golden ticket to what has become a sparkling career. With "If At First You Don't Succeed," I'm Emily for "Teen Kids News."

(Describer) Peter.

Selfies are dangerous, seriously. More people are killed each year taking selfies than the number of people killed by sharks. That's because too often people are focusing more on getting the picture than on what's going on around them. And that's gotten a lot of people into trouble, deadly trouble. Whether from drinking alcohol or using any type of drugs, driving under the influence is dangerous. And the National Road Safety Foundation wants you to remember that.

(driver 1) It was just cold medicine.

(Describer) A teen drinks orange liquid.

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I was fine.

(Describer) Text: Almost half of drivers in fatal crashes tested positive for drugs.

[tires screeching]

Until I wasn't.

(Describer) Two pills.

(driver 2) It was my own prescription. I was fine.

(Describer) Text: Some prescription medicines can make you drowsy and dizzy.

[car crashing]

Until I wasn't.

(Describer) A party.

(driver 3) We were just smoking weed.

(Describer) The smoker sits in a driver's seat.

[horn honking]

I was fine.

(Describer) Text: Marijuana can affect your reaction time and judgement.

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Until I wasn't.

(Describer) Driving drugged is NEVER fine.

The NRSF produces lots of helpful videos. For info on driving safely, be sure to like, follow, and subscribe to the National Road Safety Foundation. We'll be right back with more "Teen Kids News."

(Describer) A seaside town. Text: Coming Up. Seeing Sicily.

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It's part of Italy, and yet it's its own world. It even has its own language. Truly, there's so much to see in Sicily.

(Describer) Box-like stone houses topped with slanted orange roofs pack a rocky seaside point.

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(Describer) Pale green waves crash against a striated cliff.

Though only about two miles from mainland Italy, Sicily has its own unique identity.

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(Describer) A golden Madonna statue marks the entrance to Sicily's port.

Its culture bears the influences of many of those who invaded and ruled Sicily during the past 3000 years.

(Describer) Ancient ruins.

Its natural beauty is truly striking. Soaring rough-hewn mountains were created eons ago by the crashing together of two great tectonic plates.

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(Describer) Smoke billows from a cone-shaped peak.

Mount Etna is the tallest volcano in Europe. The glowing lava is a clear indication that this volcano is still very active. Its huge smoke plumes are easily seen from the orbiting International Space Station.

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Picturesque towns cling to the hillsides.

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As do its treasured olive trees. Sicily has been a major producer of olive oil for more than 2000 years. Surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean, the island has miles of beautiful beaches.

(Describer) Colorful umbrellas dot a wide sandy beach.

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It's home to spectacular churches.

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(Describer) Intricate carvings and paintings cover interior walls and arches.

(Describer) Gold gilding makes ceiling beams shimmer.

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(Describer) Tourists photograph statues of saints and colorful floor-to-ceiling embellishments.

[people chattering]

(Describer) Market stalls feature pastries, fruit and seafood.

Chaotic outdoor markets seem to be selling just about everything.

(Describer) An octopus display.

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For the less adventurous, there are quaint streets lined with traditional stores.

(Describer) A man adds thick sliced meat to a cheesy pizza.

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Sicily boasts some of the tastiest food in Europe

(Describer) A colorful array of gelato flavors.

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And it's alive with music.

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In upcoming reports, I'll show you what's so special about this Mediterranean marvel. With "Seeing Sicily," I'm Ava.

(Describer) A viewer email: I love this! Carmen G.

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Next on "Teen Kids News," lemons are considered very healthy, but squeezing the juice out of the hard yellow fruit can be a challenge. I've got a simple solution when we return, don't go away.

(Describer) Title: Teen Kids News.

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Next time you are in the kitchen, you might want to give this tip from Katie a try.

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(Describer) A white plate appears on an orange background. Fruits and veggies pop up like numbers on a clock. Title: Katie's Kitchen Tips.

Squeezing a lemon to get out all the juice takes the hand strength of Dwayne Johnson, but here's a way to rock the lemon.

(Describer) She grabs a whole lemon.

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Put it in the microwave for 15 seconds. That'll soften the lemon.

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(Describer) Now sliced.

Then when you squeeze, it'll look like you've been training with The Rock, but we'll know your secret. And if you have a secret when it comes to cooking, contact us. For "Teen Kids News," I'm Katie.

(Describer) Reese.

When writing their last will and testament, some people make some very strange requests. For instance, Fred Bauer. Fred was a food scientist whose claim to fame was coming up with the idea for Pringles. Fred was fed up with traditional potato chips packaged in soft bags. They often came broken. He wanted to find a way to prevent that from happening. So, he designed a uniquely shaped chip that could be stacked safely, and he designed a protective cylindrical can to hold them. Fred was so proud of his creation, he left special instructions in his will. He wanted to be buried in a Pringles can. When he died at the age of 89, his family honored his wishes. Some of his ashes were indeed packed inside a can of Pringles, Original flavor, and placed in a grave. Guess you could say that Fred and his creation will be together until the end of creation. For "Teen Kids News," I'm Reese. Well, that wraps up our show for this week, but we'll be back with more "Teen Kids News" next week. See you then.

(Describer) Producer: Marilou Yacoub. Director/Writer: Alan J. Weiss. Executive Producer: Alan J. Weiss.

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Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

(Describer) Copyright Alan Weiss Productions, 2024.

(Describer) Contact: info@teenkidsnews.com

(Describer) Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

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