A science experiment to gauge animals’ reactions to a month in space was recently completed by Russia. Among the creatures sent up were mice, lizards, crayfish and fish. (TwoShortPlanks photo via Flickr.com)

A Russian capsule carrying mice, lizards and other small animals returned to Earth on Sunday after spending a month in space for what scientists said was the longest experiment of its kind.

Fewer than half of the 53 mice and other rodents who blasted off on April 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome survived the flight, Russian news agencies reported, quoting Vladimir Sychov, deputy director of the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems and the lead researcher.

Sychov said this was to be expected and the surviving mice were sufficient to complete the study, which was designed to show the effects of weightlessness and other factors of space flight on cell structure. All 15 of the lizards survived, he said. The capsule also carried small crayfish and fish.

The capsule’s orbit reached 575 kilometers (345 miles) above Earth, according to the news agencies, which said this was far higher than the orbit of the International Space Station.

Russian state television showed the round Bion-M capsule and some of the surviving mice after it landed slightly off course but safely in a planted field near Orenburg, about 750 miles southeast of Moscow.

“This is the first time that animals have flown in space for so long on their own,” Sychov said in the television broadcast from the landing site. The last research craft to carry animals into space spent 12 days in orbit in 2007.

The mice and other animals were to be flown back to Moscow to undergo a series of tests at Sychov’s institute, which is part of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Reported by The Associated Press from MOSCOW, Russia.
Image by TwoShortPlanks via Flickr.com.

McHungry?

York Haven Elementary School’s teachers, staff and principal will work behind the counter and in the lobby of the Manchester McDonald’s from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, to raise funds for the school’s educational programs.

Students, parents, grandparents and community members are invited to dine at McDonald’s in support of the school. Diners will need a coupon, available at all of the Northeastern School District schools, in order for a portion of the sales to benefit the elementary school. Coupons will be sent home with students on May 20.

Here’s one that will make your teachers smile (and maybe you too), thanks to BuzzFeed. http://youtu.be/JTHM5Feyg7U

Learn about nations within nations thanks to GGPGrey. http://youtu.be/Vui-qGCfXuA

The York Symphony Orchestra will hold its 13th annual summer music camp, My Opus Magnum, July 22-26 at Logos Academy in York.

The camp will offer youth musicians in grades 3 through 12 the opportunity to learn the steps of creating a song, preparing it on music manuscript, and filling out the necessary forms to copyright the created material. The camp emphasizes a hands-on creative approach with group instruction on individual keyboards and computer software as well as personalized coaching through the songwriting process.

Highly qualified instructors will offer level specific instruction (new this year) and will creatively guide elementary to high school students through the process of composing a masterwork all their own. The camp includes dynamic individual coaching using computer software and keyboards.

Camp will conclude with a performance of each students composition and pizza party. Each student will also receive two vouchers to a York Symphony Concert for the 2013/2014 Season. Students of all levels of ability are encouraged to attend however, it is suggested that they have some private lesson experience with the instrument of their choice.

Camp hours are 9 a.m. to noon and the cost is $95 per student. A downloadable application can be found at www.yorksymphony.org or by calling (717) 812-0717.

Northern Middle School students who were named to honor rolls for the third marking period of the 2012-2013 school year are: 
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DISTINGUISHED
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Grade 8: 
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Cameron Albert, Joshua Barrett, Samantha Bohn, Nathan Breon,

Chad Cherok, Kathleen Colgan, Juliana Coover,

Rachel Eby, Mikayla Eyster,

Daniel Fiscus, Emma Fisler,

Hannah Grant, Ryan Heisey, Jonathan Heller,

Mikayla Ickes, Nicole Jaquette,

Scott Leitholf, Lauren Lindoerfer,

Makenna McGill, Sarah Middendorf, Abby Monko,

Amanda Noll, Louis Peifer,

Leah Reday, Blake Rondon,

Alyssa Sheaffer, Ethan Spencer, Lindsay Stefanon,

Carissa Weaver, Joshua Welker and Quade Wilbur.
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Grade 7: 
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Alison Abrashoff, Margaret Anderson, Mitchell Andrews, Kathryn Armstrong, Michele Arnold,

The York YMCA’s Hoffman Baseball/Softball Academy and the York Revolution have collaborated to offer Baseball Camps throughout the summer for ages 8-15.

Each week, beginning June 10, is for a different age group and skill level. Camp highlights include two full camp days at Sovereign Bank Stadium and a twilight game for participants to play a real game on the field.

For more information, call Doug Markel at (717) 843-7884, ext. 248, or email dmarkel@yorkcoymca.org.

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is aboard the International Space Station and recorded a tribute to David Bowie’s classic song “Space Oddity.” You may not know the song, but the sights that Hadden offers us while singing it make it worth watching. http://youtu.be/KaOC9danxNo

Mike the Knight, the star of the popular children’s TV series, is coming to Harrisburg on Saturday, May 18. To celebrate Mike’s visit to our area, Junior Dispatch is giving away some great “Mike the Knight” merchandise.

To enter the giveaway, kids must write a knight-themed poem, and we will publish all the entries here.  Your poem can be any style the young author desires — such as a haiku, a riddle, a limerick, an acrostic or a rhyme. Once the little bards have their prose perfected, email it to juniordispatch@yorkdispatch.com by 8 p.m.  Monday, May 20.  Junior Dispatch will then select first- and second-place winners out of all the qualifying entries. Teachers are encouraged to get their students to enter. Please see the official rules below for the details.

First place is the “Mike the Knight” DVD and a “Mike the Knight” book. Second place is the DVD only.

We will publish entries as they arrive.

HARRISBURG EVENT: Mike the Knight and his friends are charging into the Harrisburg Mall for two free performances of “Mike the Knight and the Mission for Hidden Treasure.” The 20-minute performance will also feature Squirt the dragon.  The event also includes photo opportunities, giveaways, and a glimpse of the “Mike the Knight” toys that are coming soon to stores. Performances are set for Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

ABOUT “MIKE THE KNIGHT”: “Mike the Knight” is a CG-animated series that transports kids to a realm of castles, dragons, and trolls.  With his rallying cry “Be a Knight, Do it Right!”, Mike brings the excitement and enchantment of medieval times to his young viewers.  Currently the broadcast series airs on Nick Jr.  For more information about Mike the Knight and his missions, visit www.miketheknight.com and follow on Facebook (www.facebook.com/miketheknightofficial) and Twitter @MiketheKnight_US.

OFFICIAL RULES: To enter this giveaway, contestants must write a poem of 10 or more words about subject of “knights.” Entrants who are just learning to write can compose their poem verbally, and then have the caregiver write it down. Decisions by Junior Dispatch are final. One entry per person. Entries must include a name, age, address and telephone number.  All entries will be posted on JuniorDispatch.com. Entries must be sent to juniordispatch@yorkdispatch.com by 8 p.m.  Monday, May 20.

ANOTHER CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST: Junior Dispatch is also hosting another writing contest for kids ages 0 to 18. The top prize in three age categories is $100 in gift certificates. Get all the details here: http://ydtalk.com/jdispatch/2013/04/22/tell-us-a-story-and-win-big/

The Fine Bros. investigate the story behind the “Cup Song” on Teens React. http://youtu.be/-nYSwuhsLa0