The Case of the Crooked Carnival (9 page)

Did You Know?

An alien species has invaded New Zealand and certain areas of the United States! It’s called
purple loosestrife
, and it’s a real noxious weed, much like “purple loosegoose.” Although pretty, purple loosestrife is a non-native plant that clogs waterways and marshlands, starving wildlife by choking out other plants. Nicknamed “Marsh Monster,” it has already caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. But, all is not lost! Just like in the Doyle and Fossey episode, there are beetles called
Galerucella
that find purple loosestrife quite delicious. Scientists have released
Galerucella
into infested areas where the beetles chomp away. After a year of chomping, the ecosystem is back in balance! Beetles like
Galerucella
are called
biocontrol agents
.

Y
ou’ve had a long day. You’re so wiped you don’t have the energy to pick up a few paper clips.

But wait! Help is on the way! You can build your own Handy-Dandy Paper Clip Picker-Upper, otherwise known as an electromagnet! (But, you ask in confusion, doesn’t building an electromagnet take energy? Well, why, ahem, yes it does, but it’s fun, it’s easy, so what the heck.)

MATERIALS

•  3 inch
×
3 inch piece of cardboard or card stock (doesn’t have to be exact)

•  2 brass paper fasteners

•  20 metal paper clips

•  clear tape

•  wire strippers (ask an adult for help when learning how to use these)

•  22-gauge insulated copper wire

•  4 alligator clips

•  9-volt battery

•  one 4-inch to 5-inch steel or iron nail

PROCEDURE

1.
Punch a hole in the cardboard about 1 inch from one of the edges.

2.
Insert one of the paper fasteners through the hole (spread out the arms on the back).

3.
Unfold a paper clip halfway. Slip the short arm of the paper clip around the head of the paper fastener.

4.
Punch a second hole into the cardboard far enough away from the first hole so that when the second paper fastener is inserted, only the long arm of the paper clip can touch the second fastener. The short arm should be, well, ahem, too short.

5.
On the back side of the cardboard, tape down the arms of both paper fasteners, making sure they don’t touch each other. Turn the cardboard over, paper clip-side up, and tape the cardboard to a flat surface (table, kitchen counter, etc.) to secure it. This is your switch.

6.
Using the wire stripper, cut a 12-inch piece of insulated wire. Strip about 1 inch of insulation off each end of the wire (ask an adult to show you how). Attach an alligator clip to each end by inserting the bare wire through the hole in the clip and wrapping it around the clip a few times.