Southwest Connector

Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?

It’s true that lava is hot enough to burn up some of our trash. When Kilauea erupted on the Big island of Hawaii in 2018, the lava flows were hotter than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,100 Celsius). That’s hotter than the surface of the planet Venus, and hot enough to melt many rocks. …

Why do burps make noise?

Burping is a normal part of everyday life. Burps happen when air from your stomach travels back up your food tube – called an esophagus – to your mouth. Air gets into your stomach during activities like eating or drinking.

Begin planning kids' summer recreation now

Due in part to high demand, parents who want to place their kids in summer rec programs or summer camps should being vetting such programs and camps well in advance of summer. The following are a …

Hear from Mark Rivard, creator of Do Rad Things, at 'Let's Connect' event in February

Every artist has an interesting origin story. But nothing compares with how Mark Rivard got started. Rivard began illustrating skateboards with Sharpie markers in the early 2000s. That led to an …

Southwest Connector launches 'Let's Connect,' a new community speaker series

Minneapolis is filled with great local people doing great things in the world. The Southwest Connector will showcase them with "Let's Connect," a new community speakers series. Every month, the …

Nature play

“At Lake Harriet Lower Elementary, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom walls,” said Lake Harriet Lower Elementary Principal Angie Ness. “Our new outdoor learning …

Young students work with restorative practices leader Manu Lewis during a team building exercise at the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation’s Community Solutions With Youth workshop at Walker Library in Uptown.

How we can help young people be happier

We have a crisis. Mental health issues for young people are skyrocketing, and the need for mental health treatment is not being met. According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 20 percent …

Tips for new homeowners to set up their smart home

(BPT) - You've just bought your new house — congratulations! As you start moving in, this is the perfect time to set up all the smart home products that can benefit your family's safety, …

9 helpful mealtime hacks from iconic TV host and actor

(BPT) - When it comes to getting meals on the table that your whole family will love, iconic actor, television host and father of four Alfonso Ribeiro has a few go-to tips and tricks to ensure …

Do you have asthma? Help protect yourself against a potentially serious bacterial lung disease

(BPT) - May is Asthma Awareness Month, an annual effort aimed at improving the lives of people with asthma and educating the broader community about it. It is also a time when people with asthma can …

Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings Exercise, Imagination, and Family Time to Your Doorstep!

(NewsUSA) - APRIL 2024 Backyard adventures await! As spring unfolds, parents seek the perfect outdoor swing set—a beacon of fun and a fortress of safety. The challenge lies in finding a backyard …

1 in 7 mothers experience inadequate pain relief during C-section, new recommendations from anesthesiologists help address the problem

(BPT) - Nearly a third of all births in the U.S. — more than 1.3 million — are delivered by cesarean section (C-section) each year. While their baby’s safety is top of mind, mothers …

Youth and elders brainstorm ideas during a community solutions workshop at Walker Library on Feb. 3.

A solution for school disengagement

T he world has changed. Our education system has not. As a result, school is broken . It's so bad that many kids don't go to school anymore. Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic. …

(Left to right) Seventh grader Kaia Bursell, Yinghua Academy Director Dr. Luyi Lien, and sixth grader Sage Houdek hold their certificates and awards from Chinese Bridge.

‘We were celebrities’

In the fall of 2023, two students from Yinghua Academy Chinese immersion school in northeast Minneapolis went on the trip of a lifetime. Keewaydin resident and sixth grader Sage Houdek and seventh …

Sydney Johnson and Eli Anleu demonstrate their dance skills. (Photo submitted)

Fifth graders show off moves

Sure, you’ve seen fifth graders do the “griddy” dance, but have you seen them tango, waltz, rumba and foxtrot? More than 70 students at Barton Elementary School, 4237 Colfax Ave. …

County Recycling Grants

Hennepin county is offering grants for preschools, K-12 schools and colleges in Hennepin County to start or improve waste reduction programs. The money can be spent on staff time, equipment and …

Change in school board leadership

At its first meeting of the year, on Jan. 2, the Minneapolis Public School Board unanimously elected Collin Beachy for the position of board chair for the year. Last year he was vice chair. Kim …

What's been considered America's 'gold standard' of autism therapy may not work — and those who have been through it are pushing back

The 74 does a deep dive into applied behavior analysis for autism therapy, its history, progression, and studies' results throughout the years.

Students with disabilities are referred to law enforcement twice as often as their peers

Marker Learning used data from the NCES Civil Rights Data Collection to illustrate the disproportionate way schools and police punish children with learning disabilities.

5 expert tips to support athlete success this spring

(BPT) - If you have a family of athletes, you know how hectic the spring sports schedule can be. As you prepare for another busy season, focus on feeding your young athletes right to optimize their …

4 Things Parents and Youth Athletes Should Know About Concussions

(Family Features) Despite the attention drawn to the topic of concussions over the past decade, it can be difficult to find readily available answers about what parents and young athletes should do after sustaining a concussion.

5 Tips to Celebrate May the 4th All Month Long

(Family Features) It's the time of year when Star Wars fans from across the galaxy gather to celebrate May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. To kickstart your Star Wars Day, check out these family-friendly ideas, activities.

30+ Summer Stock-Up Styles under $13

(BPT) - It’s a goooood week: Carter’s, the #1 baby and children’s apparel* brand, just announced the start of its Spring Doorbuster Week sale. Five days, hundreds of insane deals …

Beyond the baby blues: Confronting pregnancy-related mental health challenges

(BPT) - By Dr. Lisa Saul, UnitedHealthcare’s National Medical Director, Maternal & Child Health Pregnancy and childbirth are often celebrated as incredible, remarkable events in a woman's …

- Three teaching tips from a top pre-K educator
  
  The Hechinger Report spoke with Berol Dewdney, Maryland's 2023 teacher of the year, about how she spends time building routines and connections.
- Overscheduling kids' lives is directly associated with depression and anxiety, a new study finds
  
  The Hechinger Report looks at a recently published data analysis that finds a link between the overscheduling of children and the onset of …
- The most common mental health diagnoses among teens in the US
  
  Sandstone Care analyzed data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to examine mental health disorders in U.S. …